Council rejects Midtown Garage rehab bids; members press for short-term repairs and parking strategy

The City Council voted to reject bid proposals received for the Midtown Garage rehabilitation project and members urged the administration to pursue shorter-term repair work to restore parking capacity while larger redevelopment questions are resolved.

Councilwoman Emily Jabbour, who has pressed for action on Midtown Garage for months, said constituents reported damage to vehicles and unsanitary conditions in the structure. “People parking in this garage have experienced damage to their cars because of literally melting cement that is damaging their cars and the paint that the city has then had to pay for,” she said.

Council members and staff said a lower-cost “plan B” of targeted repairs is being developed to preserve spaces for another five to seven years while the city and hospital-related redevelopment planning proceeds. Director-level staff told council members a bid package for immediate repairs was being prepared. “We’re preparing a bid package for repairs to keep the garage in operation,” a city official said during the hearing.

Several council members said they supported rejecting the larger rehabilitation bids now so the city can pursue a more affordable set of repairs to buy time and maintain parking availability. The resolution to reject the bids was approved during the meeting and council members said they will continue work in the transportation subcommittee to present specific options.