The parking deck located at 170 Marconi Boulevard has been rapidly deteriorating in recent years, and monthly permit parking customers were informed this morning that the garage will be ceasing operations as soon as May 31st. The letter issued to customers reads as follows:
Due to circumstances beyond our control, we regret to inform you that the Marconi Garage will be ceasing operations in the very near future, possibly as soon as May 31, 2016.
As a result, all monthly parking contracts will be terminated as of such date. To the extent that we are able to do so, we hope to remain open beyond the end of May, but we are unable to give you any assurances with respect to continued operation.
It has been a pleasure to serve you during our many years of providing parking services to the Downtown Columbus market. Please let us know if you have any questions during this transition period.
Thank you for your past patronage.
No official reason was provided as to why the garage will be closing, and no future plans for the garage have been announced as of yet. The 177,000 square foot building was constructed in 1961, and primarily serves monthly parking customers in nearby office buildings during workday hours.
The building is currently owned by Marconi Garage LLC, a business registered to James Petropoulos, who has owned the garage since at least 1998. Some city officials have speculated off the record the the garage may likely be in the process of being sold for demolition and redevelopment.
Regardless of what comes next, once the garage is officially closed, the increased demand for parking is likely to put a strain on other parking options for weekday office workers. A nearby parking garage on Long Street was condemned several years ago for its unsafe operating conditions, and ongoing renovation work is not expected to be completed until sometime this summer. A new 707-space eight-story garage is currently under construction next door to the Marconi Garage, but it is not expected to open until January 2018.
Additional details will be provided as this story develops.
Photos by Walker Evans.
