Parking structure coming soon to Old Towne Orange

A parking structure for Metrolink riders and visitors to Old Towne Orange will open Feb. 19, which city officials hope will relieve the area s chronic parking problem. More than 100 parking spots in the $29.5 million, 608-space structure will be reserved daily for the public to use free with three-hour limitations. During weekdays, the rest of the spaces will be for those traveling by Metrolink, but visitors will be able to park in those spots during nights and weekends. The building replaces a surface lot that had 172 parking spaces. The city has discussed the project for more than a decade, but it was delayed when the state dissolved redevelopment agencies in 2012, affecting a possible funding source. Meanwhile, Old Towne has continued to grow in popularity with new restaurants and shopping. The city and the Orange County Transportation Authority secured enough federal and state funds, as well as committing their own money, to finally get the construction started in 2017. ' The city spent more than lion to secure hundreds of the structure s spots for visitor parking, Public Works Director Chris Cash said.He said that he hopes the structure will bring more businesses to Old Towne s west side now that more nearby parking will be available. The structure has three aboveground levels and two levels below. It will include charging ports for electric cars, and bike racks and lockers. Meanwhile, the lot south of the structure, which has been used as the construction staging area, will be renovated to include 25 spaces for public parking, according to city spokesman Pa