Columbia, South Carolina – In March, work will begin on fixing the structure of the Washington Street parking deck in downtown Columbia. This will be the first step in a larger effort to update and rehabilitate public parking lots throughout the city.
The project is part of Phase 1 of Columbia’s multi-year Capital Improvement Plan, which aims to keep important infrastructure in good shape and make downtown parking safer for residents, workers, and visitors who need it. It is located at 1100 Washington Street.
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Crews will fix a number of different kinds of damage that often happen to old concrete structures. The planned work involves fixing concrete surfaces that have spalling, cracking, or exposed reinforcing, as well as replacing old joint sealants and putting in new expansion joints.
These upgrades are meant to make the building last longer while still providing the public with reliable and easy-to-find parking. The city is also spending money on stronger lights, better security cameras, extensive cleaning, and new paint on all of its decks, in addition to fixing up the buildings.
To keep things running smoothly, improvements will be done one parking lot at a time, starting with the Washington Street deck. The building will close to all parking on March 8, 2026, and will be closed for around 12 weeks.
During this time, signs will inform motorists where to find nearby options, and plans are being made for monthly parkers. City officials have already gotten in touch with reserved users to assist with the temporary changeover.
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Future Phase 1 repairs will extend to the Taylor Street, Arsenal Hill, Sumter Street, and Lady Street decks, where work will be phased to allow partial access whenever possible. Fixing concrete corrosion, which happens when water gets into concrete and causes rusting and expanding reinforcement, is a big part of the project. If damage isn’t fixed, it can weaken the structure over time.
The repairs are part of a long-term plan to improve parking that will be paid for by higher parking costs that were approved in late 2024 and put into effect in March 2025. City officials claim that the reinvestment will help keep downtown Columbia alive and well by making facilities safer and more reliable.
To stay informed on project updates, deck reopening dates, and parking alternatives, please visit: https://parking.columbiasc.gov/
