Council authorizes closure of structurally compromised sections of downtown garage; about 150 spaces remain available

Council authorized the city administrator to close portions of the downtown parking garage after a structural engineering assessment identified compromised sections that pose safety concerns.

Public works staff reported that earlier engineering evaluations in 2023 had estimated a multi‑million dollar rehabilitation cost; a more recent Allstate Consultants inspection identified specific ramp and deck damage requiring immediate action. Staff said the engineer’s recommendation limits safe operation to three sections of the garage; that configuration leaves roughly 150 permit and public spaces available while the city coordinates displaced monthly parkers and street and surface alternatives.

City staff briefed council on immediate steps taken last week to barricade affected ramps and to meet with the garage operator PCI and permit holders. The action before council ratified those emergency operational decisions and gave the city administrator authority to continue operations in any portion an emergency evaluation deems safe until demolition and replacement work begins.

Public works staff said the closure was not surprising given prior engineering findings and the near‑term plan to replace the garage. They said they are working with permit holders to relocate monthly parkers and will preserve on‑site spaces to the extent feasible.

Why this matters: The parking garage serves downtown employees, residents and visitors and the closure affects access near the Capitol. Council authorized temporary closures based on professional structural assessments and directed staff to maximize available safe spaces and to communicate alternative parking to permit holders and downtown businesses.