new downtown parking deck rendering — Say hello to over 700 more parking spaces in downtown Birmingham. Photo via Birmingham Business Journal courtesy of Fifth Dimension Architecture & Interiors.

Parking—it’s a headache sometimes. Now that downtown Birmingham is bustling with new business, restaurants, apartments and hotels, where are we going to park? Well, we’re just in luck. The city’s Design Review Committee just gave the thumbs up for a new parking deck downtown and we’ve got the scoop.

New Parking Deck? Where?

According to the Birmingham Business Journal, Ascent Hospitality Management will build a new deck at 1901 1st Ave. N. right across from Jemison Flats. They’re the same company that renovated Elyton Hotel and are developing Macaroni Lofts, so you know the project is in good hands.

The new deck will add an additional 10 levels with 720 parking spaces downtown. For my urban planning aficionados, the plan is to build up and not out. There is currently a two-story public parking deck in that spot and it’s about to get a lot bigger.

The parking deck is in an extremely busy part of downtown and the additional parking is sure to benefit many of us. Now you can park closer to your favorite hangout spots like:

Elyton Hotel
The Pizitz
Brick & Tin
Bistro V
Trattoria Zaza
Paramount Bar
McWane Center
Alabama Theatre
Atomic Lounge
Railroad Park

Here’s a Look at the New Plan

Before

Parking deck update — Photo by Chaise Sanders for BhamNow.

After

parking deck rendering - Edited — A rendering of the parking deck. *Photo via Birmingham Business Journal courtesy of Fifth Dimension Architecture & Interiors.*

The Future of Parking in Downtown Birmingham

This parking deck is a HUGE win for the city. If you’re anything like me, you give up on trying to find a parking space after 2 or 3 circles around the block. Also, who has a handful of quarters at their disposal 24/7? It’s simple. Good parking gets people out and about.