GF council reviews downtown parking project

A proposed downtown parking lot improvement project has been questioned by some Grand Forks council members.

The plan would expand and improve parking at North 4th Street and 4th Avenue North at a cost of some $240,000 dollars. The expansion of so-called Lot C would create 28 stalls and offset the loss of 30 spaces due to the redevelopment of the Herald building.

Council member Brett Weber says he’s disappointed in the fact that the results of a 2019 parking study of the downtown is being ignored.  “Parking downtown has an availability of 50% or higher.  We don’t always get to park across from the door for whatever we want to go in.  I am opposed to spending a quarter of a million dollars to ad parking that’s not necessary.”

Council President Dana Sande says a nearby under construction commercial development has shown some interest in leasing the lot after hours.  Supporters also say surface parking also plays a transitional use for future development.

The council asked staff to review on street parking options before voting the Lot C project up or down.Construction would take place during the 2022 construction season.

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