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Paving the way for commercial success

Keeping tenants happy is one of the more arduous tasks of managing a commercial asset. And what any sophisticated landlord understands is that there is a direct link between bottom line of the building and your tenant's overall satisfaction - both inside and outside the building. A tenant's experience starts the minute they pull into your property. Not only can a well-maintained parking lot help command higher rental rates, but it can also positively impact your tenant's experience. Maximize tenant satisfaction and minimize liability with these six tips.

1. Proactively schedule maintenance

A preventative maintenance schedule can reduce cracks, potholes and fading that can throw a wrench in an otherwise positive tenant experience. Preventive maintenance will extend the life of your pavement overall, while also extending the life of your operating budget. Annual sealcoating makes asphalt look shiny and new while protecting it from moisture, oxidation and other elements. Regular striping service is essential for maintaining a well-groomed lot and making a parking lot more navigable.

2. Avoid unforeseen expenses

Emergency damage can cause huge unforeseen capital expenses. Taking a proactive approach to your parking lot management will give you a chance to work larger projects into the budget. Whether you manage one building or many, distributing expenses over the course of several years can be a lot more manageable (and predictable!) than leaving repairs to chance. When it comes to parking lots, a little bit of planning goes a long way.

3. Adhere to ADA guidelines

Carefully planning out the parking space configuration can allow property owners to maximize the tenant-to-parking-space ratio, which can be a big draw for new businesses, and command higher rental rates. However, a thoughtful parking layout doesn't just account for parking spaces, but also factors in ADA compliance. Paying special attention to constructing ramps and optimizing parking lots for handicapped parking goes a long way in improving the customer experience.

4. Schedule repairs during low-traffic times

Regardless of the scope of work, parking lot maintenance has the potential to inconvenience your tenants, if not carefully planned out. Avoid disrupting business as usual by performing repairs unobtrusively and getting the lot up and running as quickly as possible. Work closely with the project manager to determine traffic patterns and schedule your maintenance on weekends, public holidays or around your peak hours to get the job done with minimal disruption.

5. Find a contractor who can address emergencies quickly

While preventative maintenance reduces the chance of a paving catastrophe, emergencies are a reality and having a plan is important. The key to managing unexpected problems that fall outside of regular maintenance is having an on-call service you can trust.

Find a paving provider with the economies of scale and manpower to address your last-minute needs, wherever your property is located.

Most asset managers don't give a second thought to the pavement on the property. Don't make that mistake. Instead, engage the help of someone who can take the planning off your plate, and make sure your commercial building is a success.

• Tim Chimack is vice president of Rose Paving. Headquartered in Bridgeview, Rose Paving has satellite offices all over the nation and prides itself on being the pioneer of parking lot maintenance.

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