(8/6) The Thurmont Town Council discussed at their August 4 meeting cost-related information recently obtained by the town regarding the possible construction of a parking deck to be sited over the current, municipal parking lot on South Center Street.

Jim Humerick, chief administrative officer, said that, at the request of the Commissioner Marty Burns, Nitterhouse Concrete Products had prepared a recommended plan and preliminary estimate.

He said the firm recommended a two-level parking deck, comprised of pre-fabricated walls, with 98 spaces (which included several ground-level spaces, with the bulk contained within the parking decks). The company also included a provision in their documentation for the possibility of a third deck to be added in the future. The two-level deck up for discussion would consist one ground-level deck, and one elected deck above it.

Humerick said the estimated cost came in at $1,481,000, which did not include electrical work and plumbing, design engineering, nor a proposed elevator. “They said they do these kinds of projects all the time. They think it's a very fair price ... and would be happy to do the project in Thurmont.”

Commissioner Marty Burns said, “This isn't just about parking. It's (also) about economic development,” adding that the town does not have enough parking spaces to accommodate people that actually work downtown while, at the same time, providing adequate parking for would-be customers to generate more business.

“This is the only thing that's going to make businesses want to come to downtown Thurmont,” Burns stated. “'If you build it … they will come',” he said, quoting the famous line in the movie Field of Dreams. The parking deck, he said, “will double our parking ability.”

Commission Bill Buehrer said he would rather see shops on the ground floor deck, and two elected decks above be used or parking, stating that there is not, at present, a lot of existing shops available to accommodate much in the way of new businesses, unless new shops are added as well as the parking.

Commissioner Wes Hamrick suggested the parking deck, if the project is approved, should be kiosk-ed. “Personally, I don't see this as a free parking place. You don't have to charge exorbitant prices.”

Mayor John Kinnaird said, “We struggle with parking in the Town of Thurmont.” As far as available parking in-town at present, the mayor said there is street parking, metered-street parking intended for use of customers and businesses, and in the municipal parking lot (which provides about 40 parking spaces), and which is not metered. However, he said, “As always, there's never enough parking spaces.”

The mayor and commissioners directed Humerick to contact Nitterhouse Concrete for additional information regarding options, and to see if the company is aware of any types of applicable grants or funding opportunities. Further, Burns suggested town taxpayers be surveyed to ascertain their opinions.