Downtown Canton’s new parking deck is now open

CANTON — Residents and visitors to downtown Canton will have an easier time parking now that the long-awaited downtown parking deck is open.

Exactly a year ago today, the City of Canton broke ground on one of its largest SPLOST-funded projects in recent years. And today, Oct. 6, the city officials cut the ribbon to mark the grand opening of the Downtown Parking Deck at City Hall. 

“The opening of the Downtown Parking Deck represents several milestones for the City,” said Mayor Bill Grant. “In addition to doubling the amount of parking spaces on the former surface lot, we are fulfilling our ongoing promise to enhance our infrastructure and the economic potential of downtown Canton for our merchants, businesses, and tourism.”

The deck includes 102 parking spaces, and features two independent levels: the bottom level accessible from West Marietta Street and the second — or top — level accessible from behind City Hall. The top level is partially covered by an 80kw solar array, which powers 10 electric car charging stations for public use and helps offset City Hall’s utility costs. The solar array and charging stations were designed, installed, and partially funded through a partnership with Georgia Power.

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“The Downtown Parking Deck project has already been such a great asset to our City,” explained City Engineer Bethany Watson. “In my eight years with Canton, Downtown parking has always been a big topic of discussion. We worked hard to develop a deck to ‘fit in’ with the surrounding areas and did not overpower the nearby businesses and residents. Creating a space that not only increases parking for Downtown, but also highlights the City’s push to be more sustainable is so exciting, and something I look forward to putting into new projects moving forward!”

Along with Georgia Power, partners for the Parking Deck included CPL, who provided the deck design and construction management, and Astra Group, who completed the construction. 

“I am also extremely proud of our team’s proven record of leading with excellence when it comes to innovation,” Grant said. “This deck embodies all of the principles of our Roadmap for Success by demonstrating how local governments can plan and implement effective strategic projects efficiently, and this project will provide immediate and long-term positive impact for our City, residents, and businesses.”