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Council hears options for converting 500 S. Grant warehouse to parking; staff to return with data and cost alternatives
Summary
Staff presented conceptual plans and a rough $1.25 million estimate to convert a city-owned 31,000-square-foot warehouse at 500 S. Grant into a parking facility with about 66 spaces; council asked staff to return with detailed parking counts, drone snapshots and lower-cost striping alternatives before deciding.
City staff presented concept plans to repurpose a 31,000-square-foot city-owned warehouse at 500 South Grant into a multi-level parking facility that would provide roughly 66 indoor parking stalls for City Hall and downtown visitors. The item was discussed as an information update; no decision was made.
Why it matters: Downtown parking availability factors into City Hall operations, major event logistics and potential future leasing. Council members asked for data showing current utilization and alternatives that cost less than the $1.25 million renovation estimate.
What staff presented: Donnie Hooper said the building would not be demolished; instead the plan would convert the existing structure into parking with entrance and exit ramps, ventilation, asbestos abatement and gate arms for security. Staff—s preliminary estimate was $1,250,000 and included about $250,000 for streetscape work. The converted building would yield an estimated 66 parking spaces after accounting for fire-stand clearance and structural columns.
Council reaction and requested follow-ups: Several council members questioned the cost per spot and asked for alternatives. Council asked staff to provide a footprint of existing downtown parking, midday utilization snapshots (staff suggested drone imagery), and options for lower-cost surface/striping solutions that could add 20 spaces in the short term. Staff said funding options exist, including interest-earned funds the city has set aside from the City Hall project, and said they would bring cost and funding alternatives back to council.
Public-comments connection: The item followed public remarks from residents who had urged the council not to demolish downtown warehouse buildings for temporary parking; a resident, Timothy Ingalls, said "I strongly encourage you not to demolish 501 South Grant Street," and staff clarified the presentation was about conversion, not demolition.
Next steps: Staff will prepare an expanded presentation that includes counts of existing parking in the downtown footprint, usage data and lower-cost conversion scenarios, and return with funding options and timing.
