In August 2003, structural problems forced the closure of the top three floors of Johnstown’s Washington Street parking garage.
Exactly five years later, most of the decaying downtown garage remains off-limits to commuters.
And cash-strapped city officials do not expect that to change anytime soon.
“I don’t see there being any money for refurbishing it,” City Manager Curt Davis said.
The city’s oldest garage was constructed in 1970 and underwent restorations in 1990 and 1999. But officials discovered sagging floors and cracked concrete in 2003, and the top decks were closed immediately.
A study released the following year showed widespread problems that, an engineering firm said, no small-scale repair job could address.
The report laid out two alternatives: The city could undertake a $2.6 million renovation or shell out $6 million to raze and replace the garage.
Officials deemed neither option palatable at the time, and those costs likely have risen in the last few years.
In 2005, City Council authorized administrators to solicit bids for demolishing the garage.
That apparently never happened.
Davis said he would not be opposed to a discussion about selling the property, which is situated in the heart of the central business district.
But anyone who buys the parcel immediately would become responsible for an aging parking garage.
“The question always becomes the cost of demolition, the cost of renovations,” Davis said.
City leaders have said the garage’s bottom levels are safe, and commuters continue to park there.
But hundreds of spots remain unavailable.
Frank Janakovic, whose Alternative Community Resource Program is based just across Locust Street from the garage, said many of his employees had to find other parking when the Washington Street structure was partially closed.
But Janakovic, who also is a Johnstown councilman, said he understands that the city has few financial options.
“I wish something could be done,” he said. “(The garage) is an asset to the people working downtown.”
Local News
City: Action on decaying parking garage not likely anytime soon
- Local News
-
-
Proposed bill would expand use of traffic-light cameras
Some call it the hand of “big brother,” others are convinced cameras at signal lights would be effective in curbing red-light runners and ultimately saving lives.
-
Minister's trial date set
An issue has been resolved over the report from an examination of a girl allegedly taken by her mother to a Bedford motel to have sex with a traveling minister, clearing the way for a trial.
-
AP: Almost half of new veterans seek disability
America’s newest veterans are filing for disability benefits at a historic rate, claiming to be the most medically and mentally troubled generation of former troops the nation has ever seen.
-
Geistown beginning crime watch program
Residents will patrol Geistown streets in the coming weeks as part of a community watch program.
-
Persons of the Week: Nanty Glo vets will remember fallen comrades
Michael Kurtz, Tom Kasecky and Steve Kasecky will be among members of the Loy A. Douglass Post 3489 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Nanty Glo who will be honoring fallen veterans today, Memorial Day.
-
AG candidates face potential conflicts of interest
Both candidates for Pennsylvania attorney general have family ties that could pose a conflict of interest for the one who is elected as the state’s next chief legal officer.
-
Lawmakers: Capitol rallies unpersuasive
Nancy Richey stepped to the podium with a microphone at the Capitol rotunda with the hope that the right people would hear her message.
-
Richland closer to new chief
The search for Richland’s next police chief is winding down.
-
In brief: Thunderstorm downs trees, knocks out power
A late Sunday afternoon thunderstorm brought high winds, hard rain and hail to the Cambria-Somerset region.
- District Deaths May 28, 2012
- More Local News Headlines
-


