County says conceptual parking-garage design near completion but land, financing unresolved

County officials told the Kosciusko County Board of Commissioners they are nearing completion of a conceptual design for a proposed downtown city-county parking garage but stressed key uncertainties remain on land acquisition and financing.

At the meeting, a reporter asked for an update on the city–county parking garage proposal. County staff said the project is in the conceptual design stage and officials plan public meetings to gather input. “We’re getting really, really close to finalizing that conceptual design, and then there’ll be a public meeting that we’ll be hosting,” a county official said.

Commissioners said site acquisition is not complete and that financing remains a concern. One commissioner said recent state changes to funding rules require caution and that the county must be prepared to pay for the project in full rather than borrow. The board cited current parking shortfalls—roughly 300 downtown county employees versus about 204 off‑street parking spaces—and growing downtown visitation as drivers for the project.

No timetable was set. Commissioners said more information on land, costs and financing will be gathered before any formal commitment; staff indicated a public meeting will precede further action.