The Allentown Parking Authority and city officials broke ground today on a seven-level community parking deck at the intersection of Sixth and Walnut streets in the heart of what has been massive development in the downtown.
The groundbreaking follows the city’s approval this week of raising metered-parking fees to $2 an hour around the downtown PPL Center arena and extending meter enforcement times until 10 p.m.
Parking Authority executive director Tamara Dolan said the new deck should ease parking problems in the area of the City Center development, which includes mixed-use buildings of offices, retail and residential.
“We are excited to provide over 900 more parking spaces to meet the growing demand for parking in our vibrant Center City,” Dolan said. “Ensuring that we provide adequate parking to meet the current and projected demand is a critical component of our operation.”
The facility will provide 966 parking spaces and will have access from both Sixth and Walnut streets. There will be an elevator and stairs.
Other features include a 50-foot greenway along Sixth and Walnut streets, which will be the location of future development.
New curbing and sidewalk will be installed surrounding the garage, along with lighting and landscaping. Additional pedestrian signals will be added at the Sixth and Walnut intersection, along with new handicap ramps.
Boyle Construction of South Whitehall Township is construction manager. The designer is TimHaahs and Associates of Blue Bell.
