Rapid City will look for a consultant to design parking improvements for the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, if the city council gives final approval on Monday.

Civic center officials want to add 515 additional spaces in a new lot along New York Street east of an existing 505-space lot, and create another 485 new spaces by building tiers into the hillside north of the civic center and the Holiday Inn.

A $3 million to $5 million bond is being considered to pay for parking and other improvements including accessibility upgrades in the civic center theater for people with disabilities, roof repairs and ventilation system improvements.

The civic center intends to pay back the bond using a portion of the one-cent bed, booze and board tax. The civic center gets 75 percent of the roughly $2.3 million per year the tax generates; the convention and visitors bureau gets the rest.

On Tuesday, the public works committee authorized advertising for consultants interested in designing the project. Unless more discussion is needed, the council will give final approval Monday.

Alderman Tom Johnson said he supports adding more parking for the civic center, but wondered if the public needs more time to comment on the proposal.

"I'm wondering if there isn't a growing public interest regarding open space. I'm wondering if we should have some public hearing or some opportunity for the public to discuss this," Johnson said.

Last week, Steve McCarthy, president of Friends of Rapid City Parks, said he and his group oppose building another parking lot along New York Street.

Alderman Bob Hurlbut said he has heard similar concerns from constituents about building in the greenway.

"It's been commented to me that we should build up, not out," Hurlbut said. "I want to know if the option of a parking ramp is still being considered."

Mayor Alan Hanks said a ramp is still being considered, though it is likely a long-term project due to the much higher cost compared to a flat parking lot. He said the proposed New York Street lot can probably be built for $600,000, but a 500-space ramp would cost around $10 million.

"Our goal is to get as many parking stalls prior to the opening of the new arena," Hanks said. "The new arena is going to bring concert events that can hold 7,000 folks, and yet we have no additional parking."

Hanks also said the parking lot has been a part of the park's master plan since 2000. The master plan includes the skateboard park, the parking lot, basketball courts, additional landscaping and amenities and relocation of the softball field to the south.

So far, only the skateboard park has been built. Hanks said it appears enough money will be available through the proposed bond to relocate the softball field and make other landscaping improvements.

Hanks told the public works committee that because the project would be built on public land, it is required to go through a zoning review by the planning commission. As a result, Hanks believes there is plenty of opportunity for the public to provide input.

If approved, the consultant will design only the parking portion of the civic center improvements. The remainder of the proposed facility improvements will be included in a separate request for proposals in the near future, according to Hanks.

Contact Scott Aust at 394-8415, or scott.aust@rapidcityjournal.com.