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Family presses council on parking garage safety after past fall; staff says $1.5M programmed for cameras and fencing
Summary
Public commenters urged the city to install more safety features at downtown parking structures after a fatal fall in 2019; staff told the council $1.5 million is programmed in next fiscal year’s CIP for cameras and fencing across garages and new garages will include built‑in safety features.
Two members of the Jaudrey family addressed the City Council on May 20 asking for safety upgrades to downtown parking structures after their son Thomas died from a fall in the Marsh Street parking structure in 2019.
William Jaudrey recounted his son’s death, said some exterior cables remain broken at the Marsh Street garage, and urged the city to install cameras and physical protections over openings. He said LED lighting and restored security made a difference but that cameras and protective coverings remain absent. Mary Jane Jaudrey told the council she had lobbied state and federal officials for funding and pressed the city to make repairs sooner.
Councilors asked staff for an update. Deputy Director Greg Crews told the council that $1.5 million is programmed in the next fiscal year’s CIP to install cameras and fencing across the city’s existing garages, and that the new garage under construction will include those safety features. Crews said much of the planned work can be completed from the public right of way, though minor access to private frontage may be needed for finishing work; if the city must complete repairs it will work with owners on right‑of‑entry agreements.
Council did not take a separate vote on garage upgrades tonight; staff said they will proceed with designs and budget processes as programmed in the CIP.
