Downtown Heer’s Car Park opens today

The 375-space, five-story structure is open 6 a.m.–2 a.m. daily, according to city Director of Public Information Louise Whall. The city funded the $5.9 million parking deck using property tax revenue, transportation sales tax revenue and special obligation bonds.

The garage has two entrances, on Olive Street and Campbell Avenue, but Whall said only the Olive entrance is open now, until roadwork on Campbell finishes on June 20, weather permitting.

There is no charge to park in the garage – however, fees will be enacted when the 14-screen Hollywood Theater opens this fall just across the street, in the College Station development. The College Station Car Park – a block south of the Heer’s garage – opened last November and also is free to motorists until the theater opens, Whall said. No rates have been established yet.

Carson-Mitchell Inc. was the general contractor for the 143,000-square-foot Heer’s garage, Esterly Schneider & Associates Inc. was the architect, and engineers were Anderson Engineering Inc., civil; Kansas City-based Bob D. Campbell & Co. Inc., structural; and Malone Finkle Eckhardt & Collins Inc., mechanical and electrical. Walker Parking Consultants also consulted on the project.

The city initially anticipated opening the garage on April 1, but weather has been primarily responsible for the delay, Whall said.