The Jefferson City Council will make a decision Monday on a proposal for a second downtown parking garage.
The proposed site would have the city purchase two lots in the 100 block of West McCarty Street for a collective $938,000.
The properties are between Washington and Jefferson streets and have different owners.
One is currently a parking lot, owned by Central Bank, and the other is a warehouse building next door owned by Central Missouri Realty Co.
The full project - which includes purchase of the property, demolition of the warehouse and building a garage - would cost an estimated $13.1 million, which would be financed through the parking fund. The fund currently has about $5.1 million in it from monthly leased spaces, hourly meters and parking fines.
If action isn't taken at Monday's council meeting, the resolution will die. It relates only to land purchase and is not approval for the full project.
Council members could vote to accept the resolution as it is, make changes to it such as only purchasing one piece of property, or let the resolution die.
Public Works Director Matt Morasch has previously said the city would need additional financing for the project, but he's confident the parking fund would be able to keep up with payments.
"It's very fiscally sound," Morasch said. "It's not risky, in my mind."
A 2017 parking study found downtown Jefferson City is short almost 600 spaces with peak activity in March, April and May when the state Legislature is in session.
The proposed garage, laid out in a feasibility study, would offer a net gain of 310 spaces through four stories. It would have an entrance on West McCarty Street with an exit on West Wall Way.
The parking garage's target would be people doing business downtown, whether at the state Capitol or at businesses.
Morasch projects roughly 50 percent of the new spaces could already be sold if the garage was there. The two main sources of that are employees of Central Bank, which owns the current West McCarty Street lot where the second garage would be built, and the waiting list for the Jefferson Street parking deck.
The garage does not have overwhelming support, however. Several council members have proposed looking into different properties or using the parking fund to address other needs such as potholes and stormwater systems.
Consent agenda
Authorize a three-year renewal with Polydyne Inc. as the wastewater department's dry polymer supplier.
Authorize a $249,068 purchase with Cole County Industries and Farmers' Concrete for concrete and concrete products.
Accept $413,435 CARES Act grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to go toward child care providers.
Bills introduced
Authorizing a $59,559 supplemental appropriation with the parks fund to create an amphitheater budget division.
Accept a $243,750 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for the purpose of reconstruction stormwater infrastructure in the 600 block of Norris Drive.
Modify parking on Vieth Drive, south of Canterbury Drive.
Dissolve the facade improvement committee and move responsibilities to the Historic Preservation Commission.
Enter an agreement with Midwest ATC Service Inc. for air traffic control services at the Jefferson City Memorial Airport.
Bills pending
A $97,000 contract for corrective asphalt materials.
A $50,000 contract with Cook, Floatt and Strobel Engineers for a transit feasibility study.
Agreements with Cole County for joint projects on Grant Street for a new sidewalk and road work on the Missouri State Penitentiary property.
A collective $215,000 for code abatement and demolition costs.
Vacating the right-of-way that's part of Handley Way Alley upon the request of adjacent property owners.
Adopt regulations for scooter-sharing businesses that would impose a 25-cent-per-ride business license fee.
How to participate
The City Council will meet in-person Monday but will have a virtual option due to COVID-19 and social-distancing recommendations.
Community members can attend the meeting at 320 E. McCarty St. in the council chambers or view the meeting live via the city's YouTube page.
Those who wish to participate can call into the meeting at 404-397-1516 or via WebEx with meeting number 187 934 3701 and password 1234.