CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Several city projects, including a new parking garage and repairs to the existing Cumberland Plaza Garage, as well as renovations to the Frosty Morn building and Burt Cobb Recreation Center, have been put on hold after City Council members voted Thursday night to deny nearly $27 million in funding.

Money for the projects was part of a larger budget amendment ordinance that was originally part of the meeting’s consent agenda. It was pulled by Ward 5’s Ambar Marquis, who argued that it would be irresponsible to provide $25 million to the downtown Parking Commission without a plan for how they will pay it back.

Marquis’ amendment, which was further amended by DaJaun Little to reinclude funding for the Cumberland Plaza Garage, failed 6-6, causing it to fail for lack of a majority.

Voting no were Wanda Allen, Trisha Butler, DaJuan Little, Wallace Redd, Ambar Marquis and Vondell Richmond. Voting yes were Brian Zacharias, Wanda Smith, Travis Holleman, Stacey Streetman and Mayor Joe Pitts. All council members were in attendance, with the Ward 11 seat vacant.

Parking Commission

A major sticking point for opponents of the budget amendment was the status of the Parking Commission. Several council members expressed concerns about the commission’s ability to pay back the funding and expressed interest in seeing a plan before approving the $25 million.

Marquis said the commission needs to revisit their parking fee structure, which she said is in critical need of revision, and to stop “kicking the can down the road.”

Butler questioned the idea of providing an enterprise fund with such a large sum and suggested that the city should consider returning to a city-run Parking Authority.

‘We need a parking garage’

“We need a parking garage,” Holleman said during the meeting. “It’s been talked about for years and years. … If you want downtown to continue to flourish, then this is a necessary step.”

Allen asked why, with budget season just around the corner, could funding for the parking garage project not be part of the new budget.

“We do need this parking downtown and we need it done quick with the MPEC (F&M Bank Arena) coming up,” Allen told council members. “Why wouldn’t we just wait and do it all at one time when we do the budget?”

Chief Financial Officer Laurie Matta told Allen that the longer the project is held off, the more expensive it will be due to the rising price of construction.

Other projects on hold

Other projects included in the budget amendment included the Frosty Morn building project, renovations on the Burt-Cobb Community Center and restoration work on the Smith-Trahern Mansion.

The future of these capital projects is unsure at the moment, though it is likely a new budget amendment will be brought before the City Council soon.