Covington council approves traffic study expansion, spends to preserve downtown parking

The Covington City Council on March 3 approved multiple budget amendments aimed at traffic planning and preserving downtown parking.

Councilman Burrell said the city originally budgeted $200,000 for a Tyler Street corridor traffic study and proposed adding $100,000 from the GMA sales-tax-sharing fund to expand the study area to include feeder and bypass streets; staff said an RFQ for the work was issued and proposals were received that day. The council closed the hearing and adopted the amendment by roll call.

Separately, Burrell described two downtown lots providing roughly 32–35 spaces that are now on the market and proposed a capital amendment to add $825,000 to potentially purchase those lots and keep them in public circulation. Administration explained the money largely comes from funds rolled back into the central account from prior unspent balances, not by depleting discretionary reserves. The council voted to approve the amendment.

The council also adopted two ordinances authorizing the mayor to purchase specific parcels used for public parking: Lot 4, Square 22 (corner of Florida and Plaza) and Lot 15, Square 14 (municipal address 812 Rutland Street). Council members emphasized appraisals will be performed and that the city will not "overpay" for property. During the Lot 15 discussion the council noted a typographical error on the ordinance number and agreed to correct the document as part of the adoption vote.

Council members said preserving these parcels is an investment in downtown commerce and noted that if a future municipal parking garage is built, the city could resell property and recoup costs.