A possible new public parking ramp near Bismarck's medical district moved a step forward on Oct. 13, when the Bismarck City Commission voted 4-1 to let the Bismarck Parking Authority issue a request for proposals for design of a possible 500-space ramp at Seventh Street and Thayer Avenue. The ramp could also include a transit hub, according to the meeting minutes.
The Details
- What was approved: The Parking Authority can issue a request for proposals (RFP). According to the minutes, Parking Authority chair Jim Christianson asked for approval of an RFP for design services to "determine accurate project costs and evaluate partnership opportunities." The vote did not approve building the ramp.
- Where: Seventh Street and Thayer Avenue. The minutes say the ramp would address high parking demand in the medical district.
- Size: 500 spaces, as presented. A transit hub is a possibility.
- Vote: Commissioners Hull, Risch and Doll and Mayor Schmitz voted yes. Commissioner Connelly voted no, per the minutes. Commissioner Doll made the motion and Commissioner Risch seconded it.
- Cost: None given. No cost estimate appears in the minutes or the packet, and the packet memo lists no attachments.
The Backstory
According to the commission packet, the Parking Authority is an advisory board to the City Commission that manages and operates city-owned parking ramps and surface lots on the city's behalf. It manages the 3rd Street Ramp, the Parkade, the Galleria and the 6th Street Ramp, plus two surface lots at 3rd Street and Rosser Avenue and at 5th Street and Thayer Avenue. According to the minutes, Christianson told commissioners the city's four downtown ramps provide 1,600 off-street spaces and operate debt-free. He outlined discussions with Sanford, city staff and Bismarck Transit about the potential new ramp.
What It Means for Downtown
The packet says the Parking Authority, in consultation with city administration, has been considering a new public parking structure near the medical district to help ease on-street and off-street parking challenges in the area. A separate Bis-Man Transit plan in the same packet says recent downtown growth "has reduced parking for many residents, employees, and patrons." The Oct. 13 vote does not change current parking.
Before You Go
- When this story was written on Oct. 21, the city's bids page did not list a parking ramp RFP. Check the City of Bismarck bids page for it.
- The Parking Authority's next regular meeting is Nov. 12, per its October agenda. The City Commission next meets Oct. 27, per the city's meeting calendar.
Sources: https://bismarcknd.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=5739,plainText=false) ; https://bismarcknd.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=5712,plainText=false) ; https://bismarcknd.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=5711,plainText=false) ; https://bismarcknd.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=5705,plainText=false) ; https://www.bismarcknd.gov/Bids.aspx
