Parking garage fix looks pricey

Charles Owens

Jul. 10, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- BLUEFIELD -- All options are being considered when it comes to the future of the Princeton Avenue Parking Garage and the city's weekly downtown flea market, according to Bluefield Mayor Linda Whalen.

If the city were to renovate the aging parking garage, it would cost more than $1 million. Whalen said both the Princeton Avenue Parking Garage and the historic Scott Street Parking Garage are in need of renovations.

"Really, we don't know what we are going to do with our parking building," Whalen said. "They both need a tremendous amount of work. A tremendous amount of work will translate into a lot of money."

The city, which is still hoping to relocate the Social Security office from its current site on Cumberland Road to downtown Bluefield, has sent out letters to several long-time flea market vendors notifying them that the flea market may have to be moved from the Princeton Avenue Parking Garage to a new location later this summer if an agreement can be reached with the U.S. General Services Administration.

"We are still looking at different options," Whalen said. "We love the flea market. We want it to stay, but it may not be in the same location."

Whalen said the city must determine if it is financially viable to renovate the existing parking garage. Whalen said the existing parking garage is in a deteriorating condition.

"You can look at it and see," Whalen said. "If we don't come up with a million plus dollars to fix it -- it is in a deteriorating condition."

Whalen said it will not be easy for the city to come up with a million dollars to renovate the existing parking garage.

The city also is looking at options for the old Scott Street Parking Garage.

"Scott Street is the second oldest in the state," Whalen said. "It houses most of our downtown businesses. We have many renters in it. We have to come up with solutions."

When asked if the city was considering a possible demolition of the Princeton Avenue Parking Garage, City Manager Mark Henne said the board is looking at all options.

"The flea market can operate at other places" Henne said. "I said we are looking at all options."

If the Social Security project is approved, the city will need to identify parking along Princeton Avenue for employees and visitors to the government facility.

The city board hopes the Social Security project will help to bring new foot traffic back to downtown Bluefield, which in return would help existing businesses and assist with the development of new businesses.

-- Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com

Newstex ID: KRTB-0353-26577999