Devon Construction Causes Parking Woes for Downtown Motorists

By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Plans to renovate and change one of Oklahoma City's largest parking garages could impact thousands who work, live and play in the downtown area.

Every year more than 2,000 drivers use the City Center garage as their prime place to park, but that'll soon change since Devon Energy purchased the west end of the garage for its employees.

"This will cause unavoidable disruption to parking for some period of time," said Rick Cain, Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority.

At a news conference, Devon and Oklahoma City leaders announced a timeline for the work.

On October 1, the lower level, or the scissor lot of the garage, will be permanently closed for construction taking away 917 parking spots. But leaders said the biggest impact will be felt on December 1. That's when the entire west end of the garage will close resulting in the loss of more than 1,100 parking places.

"We think we can do it by only closing the garage for two months, December and January, and we can re-open in February with 750 parking spaces," said Klay Kimker, Devon Energy Corp.

But those spots will be opened to Devon employees only. All other motorists will be redirected to the other garages in the area.

By next May, the entire project should be complete with more levels and 2,500 parking places ready for visitors and workers of the new Devon Tower.

Of course, not everyone is happy about this, but Devon said it's the best it can do with hopes of having its new tower ready for open in the year 2013.

The east end of the garage was recently purchased by a local real estate group. That end of the garage will remain open during the construction with about 600 parking spaces.

More on News9.com: 
Devon Unveils Skyscraper Plans | Devon Construction Closes Parking Garage | Plans on Track for Construction of Devon Tower