TYLER, Texas — On Wednesday, Smith County officials held a groundbreaking ceremony to welcome the construction of a five-story parking garage that will serve downtown Tyler.
“Although years of work have already taken place regarding the new parking facility and courthouse, our celebration today represents the transition from envisioning and planning to the actual, tangible breaking of ground,” Smith County Judge Neal Franklin said.
The new parking structure will be located at 200 E. Ferguson St. in Tyler across from the future site of the upcoming courthouse construction.
It is estimated to have 540 parking spaces that will accommodate Smith County employees, jurors and people visiting downtown.
At the ceremony Franklin read a statement by U.S. Congressman Nathaniel Moran who helped pass the Parking Garage Project Bond.
“This project will not just be an improvement to our local transportation infrastructure – it will be instrumental in fostering growth and continued prosperity in our community for years to come. Thank you to Judge Franklin and the Smith County Commissioners Court for your tireless efforts to bring our community together and see this project come to fruition," Moran said.
During the months of construction, Smith County jurors will be asked to park at the city of Tyler's Fair Plaza Parking Garage located at 208 S. College Ave.
Fencing for the start of construction will begin on Monday, Oct. 30 and there will be free visitor parking around the Annex, along Ferguson and Spring during the remainder of the project.