CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The City of Clarksville officially opened the new, 587-vehicle downtown Clarksville parking garage on Monday, following a grand opening ceremony led by Major Joe Pitts and the Parking Commission.
“It’s another beautiful day in our city, as we dedicate the First Street Parking Garage for the City of Clarksville,” said Pitts in remarks before an audience on First Street at the parking garage entrance, prior to the ribbon cutting.
“Our downtown is enjoying a renaissance. Private investment in the commercial and business enterprise is growing, and there is no greater concentration of locally owned businesses than in this six-to-eight-block area of our community,” Pitts said.
“Business owners and operators in downtown risk capital, and they also risk their future every single day when they come to work, and open up opportunities for our citizens to work, and make us unique – because historic downtown Clarksville makes us unique, and not just four exits off the interstate.”
Garage accessibility
The new city garage can be accessed from Commerce Street, First Street, or through the Cumberland Parking Garage on the Second Street level. Motorists can find 16 EV charging stations at the garage throughout levels 0-2. The pedestrian bridge that connects the garage to Franklin Street is now accessible as well.
The lower 0 level of the new garage will be permanently reserved for public safety vehicles, with both Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Clarksville Police Department and the 911 Center nearby. Levels 5-8 are for reserved permit parking, with signage already set up for businesses including Millan Enterprises and DoubleTree By Hilton. That leaves Levels 1-4 available for public parking.
Parking rate
Michael Palmore, director of City Building & Facilities Maintenance, said the price to park in the new garage will be consistent with the existing Cumberland Garage, which is $1 an hour, or $6 for all-day parking, according to a news release sent to Clarksville Now. This garage pricing is lower than the cost of parking on the street. Paid parking is enforced Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Parking is free after 5 p.m. and on weekends.
“It was also decided by the Parking Commission to expand on the parking rates, and break them out by the hour,” Palmore said. “This change will allow the user to pay for one-, two-, or even three-hour blocks of parking time, giving you the power to choose the most suitable option for your parking needs.”
Palmore said he, his staff and the Parking Commission listened to the public when designing the new Parking Garage, and placed a major emphasis on public safety, cleanliness, convenience and ease of use.
Arena parking garage
Construction continues down the street on the parking garage being built by the Clarksville-Montgomery County Industrial Development Board next to the F&M Bank Arena. It is expected to open in June 2025 with 511 spaces.
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