Architects recommend two downtown sites after parking-garage feasibility study
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Summary
ARC Architects presented a feasibility study that evaluated eight concepts across two downtown properties and recommended two options at the Asgard/Bluett site, citing community preference and site efficiency; the council pressed cost, access, and phasing questions.
ARC Architects presented results of a downtown parking-garage feasibility study and recommended two developed options at the Asgard/Bluett site after public engagement favored those designs.
Jeff, an ARC Architects project lead, told councilmembers the team evaluated eight layout concepts across two properties and looked at stall counts, building massing, pedestrian access points and potential leasable commercial space. “We’re looking to get a plus 200 parking stalls,” he said, describing an efficiency metric the team used (stalls per square foot) to compare options and estimate relative costs.
Why it matters: councilmembers said the city needs clarity on whether the 200-stall target remains the appropriate capacity and how construction and operating costs would affect feasibility. Staff and consultants noted a pro forma used earlier indicated a downtown, close-in location makes it more feasible because it captures on-street and paid-parking demand; remote lots would likely require shuttle service and add operating costs.
During Q&A, councilmembers raised engineering and access concerns. The Bluett “pit” site, Jeff said, has existing shoring walls not designed for a new structure; building there could require temporary bracing and replacement of those walls and would raise costs. He also described multiple potential curb cuts and a shared drive connection tied to adjacent businesses, but acknowledged traffic and pedestrian-safety trade-offs when adding many vehicle access points.
Timing and next steps: the architects estimated a typical construction timeline of roughly a year to a year-and-a-half from start to finish, with phasing options to keep parts of the existing lots available during work. Staff said the feasibility study will continue into site design and refined costs; the team will collect more public input and refine the two recommended alternatives for council consideration.
No formal vote was taken; council discussion will continue as designs and cost estimates are refined.
