Members of the Derby Board of Aldermen are scheduled to talk about the city’s dilapidated parking garage at a meeting tonight (Tuesday, March 4) in Derby City Hall.
The Aldermen voted 5 – 4 Feb. 27 to close the garage to the public pending an inspection by an engineer.
The move came after members of the Derby Parking Authority appeared at last week’s Aldermen meeting to highlight the need for repairs at the garage.
The parking authority has been trying to put the repair bill – now estimated at about $7 million – out to a public vote for more than a year.
However, the grim picture painted by an engineer hired by the parking authority – coupled with the fact Alderman Carmen DiCenso attended the meeting with a piece of concrete that had allegedly fallen off the garage – caused the Aldermen to close the structure temporarily out of a concern for public safety.
An engineer inspected the garage Friday, but as of 5 p.m. Monday, the Derby mayor’s office was not in receipt of the safety report.
An update is expected tonight.
The Aldermen actually have two meetings tonight. The other meeting is to finish off items they did not get to during last Thursday’s meeting.
Meanwhile, the city’s tax board will be reviewing budget proposals from various city departments tonight in Derby City Hall as well.
The festivities start at 7 p.m.