TEMPLE, Texas — Some Temple business owners are not too happy with the City, as a much-needed parking garage in the downtown area was supposed to open several weeks ago.
Business owners say they were promised the parking garage in September. Construction is complete, but the garage is still closed with no answers from the City.
Shirley Hutka, business owner of B&W Beauty Supply, has seen the growth of Temple in recent years. She says the parking garage will help significantly when it does open, but right now, her shop has been seeing less traffic.
"I've had some ladies come, and they couldn't find a parking place anywhere in the downtown area," Hutka said. "They have just gone home and said, 'Shirley, I'm not coming in because I can't find a place to park,' so you know, they canceled their appointments."
That's exactly why the City of Temple built a new parking garage, to help with the expansion of downtown. It's something Callie Ring, co-owner of Melody's Brunch and Bar, is excited about.
"We're right across the street, so it is super easy and accessible for clients," Ring said. "We're so excited that we even need a parking garage."
But if you take a trip to Downtown Temple, you won't find cars inside the garage just yet. As of Oct. 12, it is still closed.
"Here we are in the middle of October, and we still don't know exactly when they will open the garage," Hutka said.
"It is frustrating waiting," Ring added. "It's almost like waiting for Christmas day, like the present, because we know as soon as it opens business will definitely skyrocket."
6 News reached out to the City about the delay. Charlese Butler with the City of Temple says the parking garage, near West Avenue A, should be fully functional by Oct. 24.
"We're going through right now and just making sure all of the call boxes as well as the cameras are functional in the parking garages," Butler said. "We understand the impact that it's having on our local businesses, and so we are working as quickly as possible to complete this project."
For now, businesses will wait for the magic to unfold.
"I just hope they hurry up and open both of the garages, so we can see what will transpire," Hutka said.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the garage is in the works. The City of Temple will have more information when it becomes available.
6 News will follow this story as it further develops.
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