Nearly 82,000 square feet of modular pavers were installed at the Pan Am Plaza in Indianapolis, Ind., replacing poorly maintained pavers that had been damaged by drainage issues and weather.

The site of the 1987 Pan American games in Indianapolis, Ind., is not only historic and rich with athletic inspiration, it also serves as a city center connecting Union Station, Lucas Oil Stadium, the Indiana Convention Center and the Crown Plaza Hotel.

Originally constructed to accommodate the games, the site included clay brick pavers, fountains, flag poles, and sports monuments sitting atop a three level underground parking garage. Over time, however, weather and drainage issues began to take their toll on the plaza.

A waterproof membrane was added beneath the new paving material to manage drainage issues. Moduline series pavers (Belgard) were selected for the new plaza, with interlocking 2mm chamfered edges that allowed installers to place the blocks securely and accurately.

"The condition of the plaza didn't properly pay homage to the athleticism and patriotism displayed in 1987," said Yves LeGoff, commercial sales specialist for Northfield, an Oldcastle company.

Property owner Kite Realty Group wanted to revitalize the plaza and fix the drainage issues once and for all. To accomplish this goal, the site's original pavers and fountains had to be removed and replaced with a new waterproof membrane and new interlocking concrete pavers.

Workers from F.A. Wilhelm Construction Co. removed an old fountain and the original pavers from the site and replaced them with three sizes of pavers in five different color blends, adding a mosaic aesthetic to the renovated plaza.

Ratio Architects were called in to design the new layout, which included three different mosaic pattern modules using five different colors in three sizes of Belgard Moduline pavers.

"Moduline's clean lines make it appealing to the eye and smooth underfoot," said Ken O'Neill, vice president of sales and marketing for Belgard Hardscapes. "It's a completely modern aesthetic experience and Pan Am Plaza was an exciting project for this new product."

The pavers were developed to create versatility for designers, with a defined and linear 2mm chamfer for a seamless transition from paver to paver that enhances surface smoothness and exceeds ADA requirements. All units are based on three-inch dimensional increments and have a raster that is exactly specified and produced, allowing all pieces to fit together as intended.

About 60 workers staged and installed more than 55 truckloads of pavers on site during two months of construction, laying out the sizes and colors for each 4' x 4' section on wooden pallets before they were placed in the plaza. Limited access was available for the downtown project site, which required strict scheduling for delivery and installation of the pavers.

While the new interlocking pavers would solve aesthetic and functional issues, the install wasn't without its own challenges.

"Ratio Architects wanted to honor this historic site by creating a plaza that would captivate visitors and be pleasing to the eye," LeGoff said. "We worked with Ratio to custom match their chosen colors for a truly unique color palette designed in three modules."

Due to this level of detail in size and color, one installer would stage the pavers, laying out the sizes and color patterns for each 4'x4' module on wooden pallets, while others installed the pavers from the wooden pallets.

"Moduline pavers were a great choice for this project because the architect wanted to incorporate three module designs to give the plaza an updated look," LeGoff said.

While a downtown project site with very limited access proved to be difficult for the delivery and staging of more than 55 truckloads of pavers, it was an effort worthwhile to pay tribute to Pan Am Plaza.

Workers from Decorative Paving Company, a Loveland, Ohio-based firm, installed the new pavers over about one month after demolition was complete. The site had received few upgrades and little maintenance since its initial installation for the 1987 Pan American games.

"The new 80,000-plus square foot plaza offers a variety of activities for different users, while upholding the civic pride and memorial to the original games," LeGoff said. "We're proud to have been involved in a project like this, and glad that our innovative solutions were able to revitalize this historic plaza."

The Moduline series includes 14 different stones, available in nine colors and four textures. They may be laid in a 24-inch pattern, either singularly or with additional sizes in a three-inch Ashlar format.

Location: Pan Am Plaza, Indianapolis, Indiana
General Contractor: F.A. Wilhelm Construction Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Installer: Decorative Paving Company, Loveland, Ohio
Lead Architect/Landscape Architect: Ratio Architects Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Paver Manufacturer: Northfield, an Oldcastle Company
Property Owner: Kite Realty Group, Indianapolis, Indiana
Structural Engineer: Fink Roberts & Petrie, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Installation Application: 81,900 sq. ft. pedestrian plaza