GEORGETOWN — The Georgetown City Council on Tuesday night approved closing a part of a downtown street permanently as part of a controversial plan to build a proposed parking garage.
The vote was 4-3 to close Sixth Street between Main and Church streets because the design of the garage extends more than 12 feet into that part of the road.
Council Members Mike Triggs, Rachael Jonrowe and Mary Calixtro voted against the proposal.
The proposed garage on city-owned land would be built on the southeastern corner of Sixth and Main streets and provide more than 150 free parking spaces. It would cost the city at least $5 million, according to a city presentation.
The site is already being used as a small parking lot.
More than 20 supporters and opponents spoke to the Georgetown City Council about the proposed parking garage on Tuesday night. Opponents said the proposed four-story garage was too big, too expensive and would ruin the historic charm of the nearby downtown square.
Ross Hunter, a Georgetown resident who opposes the garage, accused the city council of discussing the site in executive sessions but never in public.
“We haven’t had public involvement with the choice of this site ever,” said Ross.
Karen Soeffker, the co-owner of All Things Kids, a children’s toy store on the downtown square, supported the parking garage at the meeting.
“Thank you for considering parking downtown,” said Soeffker. “Thank you for making it near where people need to go and not have to cross busy streets with strollers.”
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