WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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The city of Bloomington will begin demolition of the Fourth Street parking garage this summer. The city is finalizing design plans for the new garage, and has decided on where it will build the new Trades District parking garage.
The Fourth Street Parking Garage has been a point of contention between residents and city officials, since it was announced that the current garage would be demolished and rebuilt.
Rather than spend $1.5 million on repairs for the garage, the city opted to rebuild the Fourth Street garage entirely, a project that would total $30 million over a period of years.
Some area residents have argued the Fourth Street Parking Garage is not necessary, altogether. The new garage will be put in place, along with another parking garage near city hall in the Trades District, as well as yet another parking garage with the expansion of the Monroe Convention Center.
Opponents to the garage have argued that the money should be used instead to improve the public transit system and reduce the community’s carbon footprint. Bloomington Common Council Member Isabel Piedmont Smith has called the use of city funds “irresponsible.”
However, those in favor of the garage say the economic demands out-way critics.
