WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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City of Bloomington officials continue to examine the cost of repairing the Fourth Street garage versus reconstructing it.
A review by structural engineers from CE Solutions earlier this year revealed multiple structural problems with the 30 year old structure.
City Controller Jeff Underwood told the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission on Monday the city has already spent $450 thousand on emergency repairs in the last 18 months.
Underwood said he estimates the city could spend between 1 and $4 million trying to get another five to fifteen years of life out of the downtown parking garage.
Those repair costs, Underwood said, just brings the city closer to the cost of a new garage with almost twice the capacity.
The cost to demolish the existing 350-space garage is expected to run around $750 thousand. Underwood also told the Redevelopment Commissioners the garage would be out of service for repairs for some time.
Underwood says he estimates reconstructing the Fourth Street garage could displace parkers for up to two years.
Ron Walker is vice president of operations at CFC Properties, which owns Fountain Square Mall. According to Walker, CFC Properties holds more than 200 parking permits for the garage. He says the company favors moving forward quickly to rebuild the fourth street garage.
Underwood also said many CFC tenants are concerned about whether or not it’s safe to park in the current structure.
Parking garage manager Ryan Dailey told the commission the city has limited the number of monthly parking permits sold in the Walnut and Morton Street garages in an effort to create space for displaced permit holders at the Fourth Street Garage. Combined, the two garages will make available around 150 spaces. Underwood said CFC Properties will be given priority for those spaces since the company holds the largest number of parking permits.
The city of Bloomington is working on piecing together a few other parking options while the Fourth Street garage is out of commission. Deputy Mayor Mick Renneisson told the commission the city is working on an agreement with Monroe County officials to use Monroe Convention Center lots.
According to Underwood, the city is also hoping to create 400 parking spaces in the Trades District, at an estimated cost of $9.6 million. He did not say where Trades District parking would be created.
The next meeting of the Redevelopment Commission is scheduled for October 15th.
