By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Commissioners will soon host a public meeting to discuss the planned city-county parking garage in downtown Warsaw.

The county's been studying the idea for more than two years and has acquired property along Fort Wayne Street, north of the courthouse, for the proposed parking garage.

But no final, definite vote of support has happened yet.

The commissioners were asked on Tuesday at their meeting about their thoughts going forward. None of the three voiced strong opposition, in part because of the need for more parking.

Commissioner Cary Groninger said the county is already short about 100 parking spaces for its own employees, and also cited heavy foot traffic at the Justice Building. 

Officials estimate 7,000 to 10,000 people visit the Justice Building each month.

“Those are a couple of things that are just a real need that we see, and with the additional growth that's happening in the downtown, parking's going to become more and more of a premium," Groninger said.

“We're trying to get out ahead of that curve," he said.

The county's use of federal ARPA money in recent years, he said, has allowed it to set aside money for other projects.

“We have a nice, healthy balance in our EDIT fund that we're able to do this with cash and wouldn't have to borrow any money,” Groninger said.

He also said the county is also looking at eventually using the recently refurbished parking lot north of the jail for future Justice Building expansion — a move that would lead to more parking demand.

Commissioners Bob Conley and Sue Ann Mitchell said they're both still studying the issue.

“We have to be very careful. We have to know that if this moves forward, it has got to be paid for in full,” Mitchell said.

“There is no way that we can go into debt in order to support that,” she said.

A date for the upcoming public meeting has not yet been announced.

Officials said they are aware of some opposition from the public, much of which has been aired online.

“It's a big, difficult decision, and input is welcome — I welcome anybody to share with me what their thoughts are with solid facts, why we should or shouldn't move forward,” Mitchell said.

Conley said Saturday at a candidate forum that he has not yet made up his mind on the issue.

Conley faces Don Wiesehan for the southern district commissioner in the May 5 Republican primary.

Wiesehan said he currently opposes the plan.

If elected, Wiesehan would not take office until January.

The commissioners said they don't have a timetable for deciding whether to support a parking garage, but it appears a vote could happen later this year.

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