Covington council adds $100,000 to Tyler Street traffic study and approves $825,000 to buy downtown parking lots

The Covington City Council on March 3 voted to boost the Tyler Street corridor traffic study and to acquire key downtown parking parcels to preserve public parking supply.

Councilman Burrell said the 2026 budget already included $200,000 for a Tyler Street corridor traffic study and asked to add $100,000 from the GMA fund (sales-tax-sharing proceeds) to broaden the study to cover feeder and bypass streets; administration confirmed an RFQ had been issued and proposals were under review. The council approved the $100,000 amendment by roll call.

Burrell also proposed an amendment adding $825,000 to the capital budget to purchase two downtown parking lots currently on the market, which he estimated provide 32–35 combined spaces. Administration explained much of the money represents rollovers and returned funds from the prior fiscal year rather than new discretionary spending. Council members said keeping the lots in public circulation preserves downtown commerce; the amendment passed on roll call.

Separately, the council approved two ordinances authorizing the mayor to purchase specific parcels: Lot 4, Square 22 (public parking at the corner of Florida and Plaza) and Lot 15, Square 14 (municipal address 812 Rutland St., about 21–24 spaces depending on parking patterns). Members flagged a typographical error in an ordinance number for the Lot 15 purchase and instructed the clerk and CAO to correct the first page as part of the adoption vote.

Council members said the purchases protect downtown access while allowing flexibility — if a future capital garage is built, the city could resell parcels and recoup funds. The council approved the budget and property-purchase measures by roll call.