“We are excited for what this means for the continuation of revitalization of downtown,” Heck said. “Businesses want to know that they have a coordinated, consistent spot that they can tell their employees and clients that they can park.”
MORE: Parking lot in downtown Springfield to close in preparation for garage construction
Construction on the three-story, 305 parking space garage is slated to begin within the next couple of days, according to Linc Ketter, Vice President of Dugan & Meyer, the construction company in charge of building the garage.
“We expect to produce a product that will be a lasting, long-term part of this city for years and years to come,” Ketter said.
The lot will remain closed for the duration of the project, which is expected to be complete in April of 2020, Ketter said.
The Springfield City Commission approved the roughly $7 million downtown parking garage project earlier this month.
Also earlier this month, the commission voted in favor of entering a joint agreement with Clark State Community College, securing the funding to construct the garage.
The joint agreement released $2.55 million in state funds for the property courtesy of the Ohio Department of Higher Education, said Heck.
LOOK: Photo gallery of OIC project house
Additional funding will include $1 million from Clark County, and $3.3 million from the city.
The commission reached an agreement with Dugan and Meyers to cap total costs on the garage at about $6.8 million, Heck said previously.
Heck said the cost to park at the garage is still up in the air, as conversations are still ongoing.
“I know Springfield residents aren’t used to paying for parking,” Heck said.
MORE: Springfield parking garage approved, construction to being in July
Over 3,000 square feet of retail space will also be available on the ground level of the garage along Fountain Avenue.
Fountain Avenue is home to Le Torte Dolci, Salato Deli, Champion City Guide + Supply, Winans Chocolates & Coffees, Stella Bleu Bistro and Sip & Dipity Paint Bar.
Springfield also recently broke ground on an $8 million, 34-unit townhome housing development near the garage site. The townhomes will be about 1,300 square feet and cost around $200,000, according to the developer.
The two projects are just some of the development projects in downtown Springfield over the last decade, including the National Trail Park and Recreation District Chiller Ice Arena, Springfield Regional Medical Center, Mother Stewart’s Brewing Co., COhatch’s redevelopment of the Myers Market building..
$7M: Approximate cost of the downtown parking garage project
305: Parking spaces
3,300: Approximate square feet of retail space along Fountain Avenue
Source: Springfield City Commission
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