After placing the last beam in a structural frame, early American settlers held a “topping” out event to mark the significance to this stage in the construction process. That tradition continues, even at UNC Charlotte, when Lithko Contracting and the Facilities Management Department recently celebrated the “topping” of the South Village parking deck.
Rick Ellis, capital projects manager in facilities management, said the ceremony symbolized the hard work completed on the deck, but its outside still had to be finished, along with mechanical, electrical and plumbing work. “It’s also a way to say ‘thank you’ to all the workers and an opportunity for them to mingle with engineers, designers, administrative and management who contributed to the parking deck’s design."
Lithko Contracting poured all 61 million pounds of concrete for the deck’s six levels. With this work finished, the massive, blue crane near the University’s main entrance will be removed from the construction site.
The South Village Park Deck is expected to be operational in July 2013.