City engineering hired for parking garage repairs after reported flooding; multi‑year work underway

City staff told commissioners the city has hired an engineering firm and is preparing the next phase of repairs to the downtown parking garage to stop water penetration into lower levels. Staff said earlier work addressed concrete repairs and the next phase is designing waterproofing and top‑deck repairs to prevent water running through joints into lower levels. The design phase should be completed within roughly six weeks, after which the city will proceed with construction. Staff said the work is not expected to be completed quickly; design and construction for the identified repairs will be phased and could continue over multiple years. Commissioners and members of the public described the garage flooding during heavy storms; one attendee reported roughly four inches of water had accumulated in the lower level on a recent storm. Staff said the overall investment in the garage repairs has been significant—nearly three‑quarters of a million dollars over the last three years—and that the structure holds roughly 170 parking spaces. The work aims to seal joints, allow movement per engineering standards, and stop penetration from the top deck into lower levels. Staff said they will inspect drains and other local features to determine flooding sources and pursue the planned waterproofing and deck repairs once design is complete. No construction start date was provided.