Library Lane parking garage set for partial opening for first day of Ann Arbor Art Fair

The garage ceremonially opened last Thursday, and for a few hours members of the public could use it. But it's been closed since while some last-minute work is being done, including inspections, and officials were uncertain until now if it'd be open for Art Fair.

The garage, accessible off Fifth Avenue or Division Street in downtown Ann Arbor, has 711 parking spaces on four levels below ground, plus 52 surface-level spaces.

Low said at least the first two levels will be open for Art Fair, and possibly a portion of the third level. But construction work is ongoing at the bottom level.

"I know there are small finishing things being done, but I'm out of the loop where things stand specifically," Low said.

The Christman Co. served as manager of the project. Susan Pollay, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority, said there wasn't a guaranteed completion date for the $50 million garage stipulated in the DDA's contract with Christman.

Amy Sullivan, project manager for the Christman Co., said state inspections of the elevators were done on Tuesday. She said the garage has been issued a temporary certificate of occupancy for Art Fair by the city, but a final certificate is pending.

"We're in good shape. This afternoon it's just been some minor touch up," she said on Tuesday afternoon. "We've just been going around doing a lot of last-minute things and we're actually very comfortable with things opening up tomorrow."

At this point, Sullivan said, not much work is going on inside the garage. She said there's a little more painting to do, but that's about it.

"We're very comfortable with where things are," she said. "Things look great and it's great to finally be at that point where we can turn things over."

Low said the garage will start welcoming vehicles at 5 a.m. Wednesday. Premium rates apply for Art Fair. It's $12 to park during the day and $6 after 5 p.m.

The elevators for the garage still aren't in service. Low said Republic Parking will have two four-person golf carts available to chauffeur anyone who wants to avoid the stairs.

"We'll run people who request assistance up and down the garage," he said. "We'll have a cell phone number on signs they can call and that'll be answered by one of the golf cart drivers."

There also will be a team of greeters to assist people coming and going from the garage and explaining the process to motorists, Low said.

Users of the garage will be able to pay either by credit card as they exit the garage in their cars, or they can pay — before they get back in their cars — by cash or credit card at a cashier booth or an automated pay station on the first level.

For an extra $5.60 fee, a private company called Park n Party is teaming up with Republic Parking and the DDA to offer a prepaid reservation option for all four days of Art Fair.

In addition to the new Library Lane garage, reserved spots can be had any of the DDA's parking structures, including Fourth and Washington, Ann and Ashley, Liberty Square, Fourth and William, Forest Avenue, and Maynard Street.

PHOTO GALLERY: Library Lane underground parking garage opens to public in downtown Ann Arbor