Athens announces homecoming parking fee, Stimson Avenue closure and $381,000 parking-garage upgrades

Mayor Steve Patterson outlined several upcoming traffic and parking items during the weekly update: payable homecoming parking at Richland Avenue Park, an early-morning Stimson Avenue bridge closure, and renovations to the downtown parking garage. "The homecoming game day parking on Richland Avenue is $15 per car," Patterson said, adding that registration in advance is required and that vehicles may enter no earlier than 9 a.m. and must leave by 10 p.m. The parking is scheduled for Oct. 18. Patterson said Stimson Avenue will be closed for bridge work on Friday, Oct. 3, from 3 a.m. to 7 a.m.; the closure is temporary to allow contractors to continue moving the project along toward completion later this year. On the downtown parking garage, Patterson said the city is installing a gated ticketing system and creating two exiting lanes to improve traffic flow. He described the project as expected to be "buttoned up by December" and said the total cost is $381,000. The mayor directed residents with questions to contact the service-safety director or the deputy service-safety director. These items were presented as operational announcements; no council vote or ordinance was announced during the update.