Major work complete on underground parking garage in downtown Ann Arbor

"We're still shooting for, I think, a May 20 date," he said. "I'm still saying Memorial Day, and completion of the garage by end of June or beginning of July."

Splitt said work on the garage continues to move along nicely. Wall pours are complete, so the structural parts of the garage are now finished, he said.

"They have cured long enough, so it is time to begin the surface water-proofing and that started a couple of weeks ago," he said. "That is the next step to getting surface concrete poured."

Splitt said elevators have been installed and all of the other mechanicals, including plumbing, continue to be installed. Painting and staining will be done once the weather warms up.

The DDA hired the The Christman Co. to oversee the project, which started in late 2009 and originally was expected to be finished by August 2011. Consultants from Park Avenue Consultants also are working closely on the project on the DDA's behalf.

"Park Avenue will be beginning road resurfacing on the north side of the project in middle of this month and then go to south side of the project after they're done doing work in front of the library, etc.," Splitt said. "And then obviously Christman will finish up the center."

And that should come as welcome news to nearby business owners who have complained the closure of Fifth Avenue has hurt business.

The new $50 million underground garage, located between William and Liberty streets on Fifth Avenue, will bring about 700 parking spaces to downtown when it opens in time for Art Fair.

Splitt also gave a report on DDA parking revenues for February, noting parking fees collected from patrons are up more than 16 percent from February 2011.

Total revenues came in at $1.36 million in February, compared to $1.17 million in February 2011. The number of hourly patrons also is up 5.26 percent. Splitt gave credit, in part, to better weather this year for the increase in people coming downtown.

The DDA is scheduled to make a budget presentation before the City Council at a special work session meeting on April 9.