After nearly three years of discussion and debate over whether to demolish or renovate, the fate of the old Scott Street Parking Garage has finally been determined. It’s coming down — and sooner rather than later.
The demolition project is being advertised for bids this week. City Manager Andy Merriman is hoping the demolition can begin by this spring. When the parking garage does come down, another historic landmark in the downtown will be gone.
The Scott Street Parking Garage was built in 1947 and was, at the time, the third municipally-owned parking garage in the United States. The original structure had four levels, but two additional levels were added to the facility to accommodate the growing need for parking in downtown Bluefield.
At it’s peak, the facility housed Bluefield’s Parking Authority, featured an in-house filling station, an elevator, waiting room and comfort facilities. However, the elements of time, water, highway salt and temperature changes were unkind to the 1940s-vintage facility, and concrete falling from the ceiling of each level proved a danger — prompting city officials to close the structure in late 2009.
The question of saving or razing the old parking garage had been debated since that time. After initially voting to restore the structure, the city board reversed course last year and agreed to proceed with its demolition.
The old parking garage hasn’t been used by motorists for several years.
The project calls for the demolition of the six-level Scott Street Parking Building with approximately 42,900 square feet per level and the construction of a concrete retaining wall, the replacement of approximately 29,300 feet of pavement and miscellaneous site work.
Bids for the demolition will be received up until March 14, according to Merriman.
It will be sad to see another landmark go. The old parking garage is a reminder of the city’s glory days, when Bluefield was bustling and parking was needed for the many people working and visiting the city.
Sadly, those glory days are gone for Bluefield — at least for now. And finding a parking spot downtown isn’t as big of a problem today as it was in the city’s heyday.
The debate over whether to renovate, or demolish, the old parking garage has gone on long enough. The structure is no longer safe. It’s not being used. The cost of renovating it up to current standards would be significant. And the city is not so-financially well off that it can throw a ton of money away to renovate this old structure.
Unfortunately, it is time for it to come down.
Editorials
February 22, 2012
The time has come Demolition looms for parking garage
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