New parking garage in South San Francisco seen as economy-booster
South San Francisco leaders are counting on the long-awaited new downtown parking garage to bring additional visitors to the city's financial heart and help spur the local economy.
The $12 million, five-level Miller Avenue Parking Structure is expected to open in February, featuring 254 stalls as well as about 14,350 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor and energy-efficient elements.
The project, at 329 Miller Ave. between Maple and Linden avenues, has been under construction for more than a year, but anticipated for much longer than that.
"It's been talked about by the City Council and downtown businesses for at least 10 years -- that we should have more parking (because) parking is very limited," said Terry White, South San Francisco public works director.
The parking will be free for the first two months the structure is open, White said. Afterward, motorists will pay for parking.
The city's parking district will use revenue from the garage to pay back the $12 million loan it received from the Redevelopment Agency for the construction, he said.
The commercial space has room for four businesses -- including a potential restaurant -- although no tenants have signed on yet, White said.
"That's a bit of a disappointment," he said of the commercial vacancy. But given the current economic climate, "I'm not surprised."
So for now, he said, the city plans to use some of that space as an office for its
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employees.
Maria Martinucci, chief executive officer of the South San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, said the new garage will prove to be a boon to the city.
"It's going to be a great addition," Martinucci said. "It will provide more parking and get a lot more people to downtown to see what we have to offer."
Mayor Kevin Mullin echoed her sentiments, saying that the multifaceted garage should help revitalize downtown.
The project also comes as the city faces a potential structural deficit of up to about $6 million over the next few years.
The garage's environmentally friendly aspects include the use of recycled products in the construction, recharging stations for electric vehicles and an underground geothermal system to cool the commercial space, White said.
The garage is also wired for solar panels to help power the shops, lights and elevators, he said.
In addition, the structure incorporates pedestrian-friendly features such as a breezeway and landscaping to foster the idea of a walkable community in downtown, he said.
The project, at 329 Miller Ave. between Maple and Linden avenues, has been under construction for more than a year, but anticipated for much longer than that.
"It's been talked about by the City Council and downtown businesses for at least 10 years -- that we should have more parking (because) parking is very limited," said Terry White, South San Francisco public works director.
The parking will be free for the first two months the structure is open, White said. Afterward, motorists will pay for parking.
The city's parking district will use revenue from the garage to pay back the $12 million loan it received from the Redevelopment Agency for the construction, he said.
The commercial space has room for four businesses -- including a potential restaurant -- although no tenants have signed on yet, White said.
"That's a bit of a disappointment," he said of the commercial vacancy. But given the current economic climate, "I'm not surprised."
So for now, he said, the city plans to use some of that space as an office for its
Advertisement
employees.
Maria Martinucci, chief executive officer of the South San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, said the new garage will prove to be a boon to the city.
"It's going to be a great addition," Martinucci said. "It will provide more parking and get a lot more people to downtown to see what we have to offer."
Mayor Kevin Mullin echoed her sentiments, saying that the multifaceted garage should help revitalize downtown.
The project also comes as the city faces a potential structural deficit of up to about $6 million over the next few years.
The garage's environmentally friendly aspects include the use of recycled products in the construction, recharging stations for electric vehicles and an underground geothermal system to cool the commercial space, White said.
The garage is also wired for solar panels to help power the shops, lights and elevators, he said.
In addition, the structure incorporates pedestrian-friendly features such as a breezeway and landscaping to foster the idea of a walkable community in downtown, he said.
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