A public parking garage in downtown Oakland will shut down due to seismic safety concerns, city officials said.
Friday will be the last day parking will be available at the aging garage, located at 1414 Clay St., between 14th and 16th streets. The city said there are potential dangers if a major earthquake were to hit the Bay Area.
"The decision to shutter the 55-year-old facility was made after a recent condition assessment, which raised safety concerns," Oakland Public Works said in a news release. "The potential dangers in a major seismic event were deemed too great to risk keeping the facility open."
The city is now studying how to best use the site of the parking garage, including the possibility of replacing some or all of the garage's 335 parking spaces. City Council members have also directed staff to create a report with preliminary recommendations and costs.
The nearby Dalziel Garage, located in the basement of 250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, will be an option for visitors to City Hall and other city offices. The garage is accessible from 16th Street, between Clay Street and Pablo Avenue.
Drivers who frequent downtown Oakland said it is already tough to find other parking in the area. In addition, drivers said the Clay Street garage was much cheaper than most other garages.
"The one under the DeVry is three times as expensive, which is why I park here," Concord-resident Matt Gillespie said of the Clay Street garage.
For more information on other short-term parking options for visitors to the Civic Center Plaza, visit the City of Oakland's website.
