City of Columbia Missouri

P.O. BOX 6015
COLUMBIA, MO 65205

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 24, 2016

CONTACT: Barry Dalton
Public Information Officer
Public Works Department
City of Columbia, Missouri
(573) 874-2489

Plaza Parking Garage closed to all hourly and permit parking July 15-18 // Fifth and Walnut Garage closed to all hourly parking July 15-18

(COLUMBIA, MO) -

The Plaza Parking Garage will be closed to permit holders and hourly parking from 6 a.m. July 15 to 6 p.m. July 18 to make improvements. Hourly parking spaces will be moved to the top level of the Plaza and signs and cameras will be updated. Reserved parking spaces on the ground level will remain open during the improvements.

The Fifth and Walnut Garage will be closed to hourly parking during this time to allow temporary parking, without fee, for Plaza permit holders. Due to the limited availability of parking at the Fifth and Walnut Garage, however, parking for permit holders will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Plaza permit holders who do not find a space available in the Fifth and Walnut Garage must use an on-street meter and feed the meter. Carpooling or taking advantage of COMO Connect may be another option.

"We are moving the hourly spaces in the Plaza Parking Garage up top to better differentiate them from permit spaces," Parking Supervisor Tanner Morrell said. "Right now these parking areas alternate, which can be confusing, especially if you're new to the garage.  We anticipate that this change will result in fewer citations and help prevent hourly parkers from taking a spot that a permit holder has essentially already paid for."

Reserved parking spaces on the ground level, which are in a fixed location on the north side, will not be affected. Reserved space holders may enter on Eighth Street and exit via Seventh Street.  All other entrances/exits will be closed as will access to all other levels.

During the closure, the Public Works Department will also be performing a wash-down of all levels of the Plaza to rid the garage of any residual salt left behind from de-icing procedures in the winter.

Signs relating to the closure will be posted at the garages starting next week and fliers will be distributed as well.

"We appreciate everyone's patience during this short-term closure," said Public Works Engineering Manager Richard Stone. "It's necessary to improve our facilities and service in the long term. We apologize for any inconvenience."



City of Columbia Vision
Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.

City of Columbia Mission
To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.

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