The Bismarck Parking Authority on Thursday mulled over building more ramps near medical facilities and the Burleigh County Courthouse.

"As we took the parking plan to the downtown area, there were several priorities identified from this board and the Renaissance Authority," said Bismarck City Administrator Bill Wocken.

"One is the possibility of adopting shared use parking near the library that could serve the downtown and the nearby medical facilities. The second is to select a minimum of two primary sites and two alternate sites for future parking structures," he said.

Rocky Gordon of Rocky Gordon and Co., who is contracted to manage the parking ramps, said four years ago it cost $5.2 million to build a new ramp for 400 vehicles.

He qualified higher construction costs would raise that figure today.

"What is the future of shared parking facilities, particularly ramp facilities in the downtown area? If there is a future, do we want to look at those kind of structures. Perhaps, this is the time to say, 'How much, where and when?'"

Wocken said if the authority favors this, it should look at locations and try to acquire some land.

"I think the time for action is now and the time for strategizing will become apparent when we decide where we need to go," he said.

Board member Chuck Hale presided over the meeting. He said afterward that the city does have access to build a ramp north of Kokkeler's Jewelry in the area of Broadway and Thayer. Hale said it would occupy less than half a block of space.

Wocken was asked if more ramps had the support of the Bismarck City Commission. "Everyone acknowledges the parking ramps we have now are well-placed and for the most part, successful," he said.

Still, he said the perception is that not all parking needs have been met downtown. "Certainly there is a growing concern in the medical area for some time," Wocken said.

Wocken added the city commissioners may be receptive if more substance and detail about the project were provided first.

"No one has said we don't need more facilities downtown," Wocken said.

Board member Claire Anne Holmberg asked what the next step should be.

Wocken said it was time to strategize based upon what the need was. "What part have we met and what part have we not met?" asked Wocken.

"Where do we go from here is to capitalize on the strengths we have and to solve the weaknesses … that may become apparent?"

Wocken repeated the report discussed the library and medical facilities.

Hale said after the meeting that the area near the courthouse and medical areas would be the more likely location. He said the library may be too far away to benefit from a site considered for the ramp.

"Is there a piece of that picture that is missing? … Do we need to look at a ramp in the northern part of town to solve that problem?" Wocken asked. Board member Brian Peterson asked if there was one priority higher than the other.

"No, I don't have a preconceived idea of one way or the other," Wocken said.

Wocken said more discussion was needed. "When we get down to saying how many spaces, what's it is going to cost, what are the physical challenges of location, how do we operate it, those are questions, we need to talk with professionals," he said.

Hale said a new ramp cannot happen without the support and funding from the Bismarck City Commission.

"We really feel we could fill a 350-car garage," Hale said at the meeting. "We're ready to go. … I think it will help all of downtown."

Committee members said they would study funding sources available.

Wocken said the next step would be to develop a series of action steps so a proposal could be identified with a site and its cost. Wocken agreed to help.

Wocken said that the Parking Authority has to identify users, decide if one or two ramps areneeded and how it would be financed.

Board member Claire Anne Holmberg said a ramp in this area would be used for multiple uses, not only the medical facilities.

The authority was told the Renaissance Zone Authority would be interested in helping.

The authority also reviewed its security and card entry system. These will be discussed at a future meeting.

Gordon said the entity had received a clean audit.

He said he projects an end-of-the year income of $856,000. He said that is about $16,000 higher than expected because the authority was reimbursed for rents not collected during the repairs of the Galleria.

(Reach reporter LeAnn Eckroth at 250-8264 or leann.eckroth@bismarcktribune.com.)