By Lindsay Doty
The Town of Plainfield is adding a multi-level parking structure this summer as part of its ongoing downtown redevelopment plan. The structure will be built between Center and Vine Street behind the businesses on the north side of Main Street in downtown Plainfield. It will include 250 parking spaces and 8,100 square feet of commercial space.
It’s the first public feature in the downtown redevelopment plan that was approved by the Plainfield Town Council back in 2017 after gathering input from the public.
“The general consensus was that there wasn’t quite enough parking in downtown Plainfield,” Town Council President, Robin Brandgard, said. “In fact, downtown parking has been a long-time concern for residents.”
Construction will start in June and take around a year. The parking facility is designed to complement a potential Cultural Arts Center and Plainfield Town Hall which are currently in the design phase.
Town leaders anticipate more commercial projects to follow.
Last year, Rebar Development announced a $21 million mixed-use development called The Barlow. It includes 117 apartments, commercial space and 150 parking spaces. That project is currently going through the town’s planning process and is slated for construction later this year.
Demolition of the former Fire Station 122 and the adjacent chamber of commerce building on Main Street will provide temporary parking during construction. The demolition of these two buildings will take place prior to the new construction.
“Private developers reached out to the town about investing in downtown Plainfield. The Conceptual Plan was created to give guidance to those investments, but the plan also addressed the need for public facilities in downtown. The parking structure is the first component of those public investments,” Andrew Klinger, Town of Plainfield Town Manager, said.
