Commission approves CCDC’s Jefferson Street public parking garage with enhanced public realm and exceptions for paving and tree grate standards

The Design Review Commission approved a public parking garage and associated improvements at 1010 West Jefferson Street on Aug. 13, 2025, a project proposed by Capital City Development Corporation (CCDC) to add about 426 public parking stalls, electric vehicle infrastructure and a 700‑square‑foot secured bike facility.

Catherine, Planning staff, described the project as a 6½‑story garage in the MX‑5 downtown mixed‑use zone with a Ground Floor retail emphasis; she noted the applicant proposed to take vehicle access from North Tenth Street rather than the alley and to transform the alley to a pedestrian‑focused passage with special paving and lighting. Staff said the project requests several departures, including a reduced tree‑grate dimension in parts of the right‑of‑way; staff recommended standard 4x8 tree grates but supported most departures after review.

Alexandra Monjar of CCDC said the agency’s goal is to deliver parking while creating a high‑quality public space near the Eleventh Street bikeway and the new YMCA. She described design guiding principles that emphasize activation, mobility and environmental stewardship. Architect Michael McHugh of Pivot North presented the architecture: a brick and glazed Ground Floor “ribbon” and a terraced, perforated aluminum veil for the parking levels, punctuated by two glass stair towers at corners and a rooftop solar canopy.

Landscape architect Christopher Hawkins asked the commission to allow a smaller 4x4 tree grate along the Jefferson Street frontage (while retaining 4x8 grates where the YMCA and other contiguous blocks use the standard) and to permit decorative paving to extend into the right‑of‑way in select spots. He provided precedents at other downtown sites and said a suspended paving system beneath the paving would provide adequate soil volume for trees and would allow the smaller grate without harming tree health. Several commissioners said they favored a work session to further refine paving patterns and lighting details while supporting the smaller grate along Jefferson to increase usable frontage for active uses.

Commissioners praised the public‑facing Ground Floor activation and the design approach. The commission approved the project with modifications: striking staff condition b (the rigid paving percentage requirement) so the applicant can work with staff in a follow‑up work session to determine appropriate paving extents; and allowing 4x4 tree grates on the Jefferson Street frontage (while retaining 4x8 grates where contiguous blocks require them). The motion also established a follow‑up work session to review detailing and materiality before final design development. The motion passed on roll call (Temple — aye; Marsh — aye; Erstad — aye; Gesrick — aye).