(BLOOMINGTON) – The Fourth Street parking garage will be closed beginning today, with a projected reopening four to six months after the start of anticipated repairs.
A preliminary structural analysis completed in autumn 2018 revealed structural damage and concrete decay necessitating the facility’s closure to protect public safety. Before repairs can begin, further more detailed structural analysis must be performed to allow preparation of scope of work specifications and identification of a contractor to complete repairs. It is expected the entire facility will remain closed during construction to protect public safety and to ensure that repairs can be completed in a timely and efficient manner.
Permit holders displaced by the temporary closure have been provided several options for relocation:
Approximately 102 spaces in the Convention Center surface lot between College Avenue and Madison Street are available five days a week, 12 hours a day through the end of 2020.
Approximately 150 spaces are available in the public parking garages at Seventh and Morton Streets and Seventh and Walnut Streets (with some additional capacity for hourly/transient parkers).
Parkers without permits are directed to other downtown parking assets, including metered spaces, hourly surface lots, and the approximately 250 free, mostly non-time-limited spaces in several downtown locations:
- Madison Street from 2nd Street to 3rd Street
- Washington Street from 2nd Street to 3rd Street
- Lincoln Street from 3rd Street to East Smith
- Grant Street from 2nd Street to East Smith
- Rogers Street from 5th Street to 11th Street (limit of two hours)
- The city employee parking lot at City Hall (after 5 p.m.)
Additional hourly spaces are available in the surface lot at Dunn and East Fourth Streets as well as Washington and East Fourth Streets
“We’re disappointed that the garage deteriorated more quickly than its expected life span due to inadequate maintenance — and we’re grateful for the attention of our public works staff and the expertise of our engineering consultants who identified the challenges earlier this year,” said Mayor John Hamilton. “We understand that it will be inconvenient for downtown workers and visitors not to be able to park in the Fourth Street garage, but safety comes first, and we appreciate everyone’s patience as the structure is dealt with. As you continue to come downtown to work, shop, or dine, please keep in mind your options for parking in the other City garages, surface lots, and on the street.”
The alternative locations will be listed at the garage, on the city website, and via social media.
On Wednesday, December 19th, the Common Council voted against the administration’s plan to issue an $18.5 million bond to demolish the Fourth Street garage and construct a new and expanded facility (Redevelopment Commission Resolution 18-67). Instead, the council voted in support of a plan to repair the garage. Structural engineers preliminarily estimate repairs to sustain five years of operational life will take at least four to six months to complete and cost at least $1.1 million. Due to temperature concerns, the majority of repairs must wait until April to be started.
