Novus Place parking structure wins SWPTA award

ASU’s Novus Place parking structure has earned the 2021 Best Parking Structure award by the Southwest Parking and Transportation Association.

The 600,000-square-foot Novus Place structure sits in the heart of the Novus Innovation Corridor and provides 1,801 parking stalls on seven levels with provisions for up to 10,000 square feet of ground-floor retail development. Unlike most parking garages, the structure can support future vertical parking expansion or conversion to commercial use.

 “We designed and built the Novus Place parking structure with the future of ASU and Tempe in mind,” said Morgan R. Olsen, ASU executive vice president, treasurer and chief financial officer. “Working with our partner Catellus Development Corporation, we considered future transportation needs, sustainability and the university’s service to its students and surrounding communities. We’re honored that the SWPTA recognized our vision.”

“The Novus Place structure provides a world-class parking environment, and it can be altered to best support the area’s future needs,” said Charley Freericks, senior vice president of Catellus Development Corporation, master developer of the Novus community. “The Novus Place parking garage exemplifies the cutting-edge approach we’re taking with the Novus Innovation Corridor to make it a signature destination for the region.”

The Novus Place parking structure was built with high-quality, durable materials to minimize operational, repair and replacement costs. It’s anticipated to save over $2 million across its lifespan, at least 50 years.

The structure includes top-to-bottom sustainability features to help further ASU’s climate neutrality commitment:

• 20 electric vehicle charging stations.
• Future rooftop photovoltaic panels to produce on-site electrical power.
• Underground retention tanks accommodate stormwater run-off from the garage and the surrounding neighborhood.

The Novus Place parking structure goes beyond vehicles to serve as a multi-modal hub. Enclosed storage for up to 100 bikes and shower stalls are available to bicyclists. The structure will also be a transportation touchpoint for pedestrians and mass transit riders. A pedestrian bridge will span Rural Road and connect the garage with the new ISTB-7 and light rail station at University Drive later this year, interlinking the Novus community with the ASU Tempe campus and beyond.

The parking structure services Novus retail and office tenants and guests, hotel guests, ASU visitors, the new Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building 7, Desert Financial Arena events, the new Multi-Purpose Arena and the 365 Community Union at Sun Devil Stadium.

The Novus Innovation Corridor will include more than 10 million square feet of development in Tempe. Earlier this year, the Novus community received LEED-ND Gold certification, making it one of the top 10 best projects of its kind in the nation.