Plan for downtown parking garage sought

Hamilton County Commissioners will reveal a request for proposals Monday for a multi-level parking garage. The long-discussed facility is only one part of a major downtown Noblesville redevelopment project. At the Monday meeting the RFP will be officially considered and likely released for publication.

Officials say they cannot yet disclose details on the overall redevelopment plan which will involve the city of Noblesville, a private developer and the county. The initial phase of the plan will be the parking garage.

It will be located where two county employee parking lots exist on the north and south sides of Clinton Street east of 8th Street. With at least one second level, the lot may allow for some public parking in addition to spaces for employees.

Again, information is sketchy until details can be worked out, according to County Commissioner Steve Dillinger. Noblesville public affairs office said it had no information on the project which will follow completion of the current Levinson redevelopment complex underway at 9th Street and Maple Avenue.

Dillinger said there have been discussions with the city and with the county council in an effort to time construction in such a way that parking can be maintained for employees, jurors and other visitors to county offices.

The need for more parking in the downtown area has been a topic of conversation for years. A recent city parking plan makes no mention of the unfolding redevelopment plans and parking it may provide.