City of Columbia to begin structural repairs at Lady Street Parking Deck in January 2026

Phase 1 of Capital Improvement Plan to Enhance City-Owned Parking Decks

The City of Columbia will begin structural repairs at the Lady Street Parking Deck, located at 1100 Lady Street, in January 2026. This project marks the start of Phase 1 of the City’s multi-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), a strategic investment in revitalizing and maintaining public parking infrastructure across Columbia.

What Work Will Be Done?                                                                

The work at the Lady Street deck and other facilities during Phase 1 will include:

• Repairing concrete spalls, delamination, and exposed reinforcement
• Addressing cracks on concrete surfaces
• Replacing deteriorated joint sealant
• Installing new expansion joints

These updates are designed to improve safety, prolong the life of the parking decks, and help maintain an efficient and accessible parking experience for the public.

In addition to the structural repairs underway as part of Phase 1 of the Capital Improvement Plan, the City of Columbia is also investing in enhanced lighting, updated security cameras, deep cleaning, and fresh painting across City-owned parking decks.

Project Phasing and Impact

To minimize disruptions for downtown employees, residents, and visitors, parking deck renovations will be completed one at a time. Work will begin with the Lady Street Parking Deck and is estimated to take approximately three months.

Signage will be placed at each parking deck before and during the construction process to inform parkers of the work taking place and guide them to nearby alternative parking options.

Starting in January 2026 and continuing for approximately 12 weeks, public and visitor parking at the Lady Street Parking Deck will be unavailable due to planned improvements. During this time, monthly parking arrangements will also be modified.

Parking Services has already reached out directly to reserved parkers as related to the coordination of parking arrangements and minimize disruption. The City appreciates the community’s patience as these upgrades are made to improve the overall parking experience in downtown Columbia.

Parkers are encouraged to visit https://parking.columbiasc.gov/downtown-parking-map/ to learn more about where City of Columbia parking decks are located.

Future parking decks slated for repair in Phase 1 include:

• Taylor Street Deck
• Arsenal Hill Deck
• Sumter Street Deck

In all of these parking decks, phased work will allow for partial access throughout the repair period.

What is Concrete Corrosion?

Concrete corrosion is a gradual but serious issue that affects the structural integrity of many parking decks. When water infiltrates a porous concrete surface, it penetrates to the embedded reinforcing steel. Over time, this causes the steel to corrode and expand, breaking the concrete on the surface, and exposing the steel underneath. Left unrepaired, this could compromise the integrity of the structure over time. Corrosion-related repairs are among the most common and costly maintenance issues for aging parking decks.

Why This Work Matters

The City of Columbia’s Parking Revitalization Plan is a proactive effort to extend the life of vital downtown infrastructure and ensure a safe, modern parking experience. By addressing issues before they become critical, the City is investing in public safety, saving long-term costs, and supporting the ongoing vibrancy of downtown Columbia.

The ongoing repairs and enhancements to the City’s parking decks are part of a long-term, strategic reinvestment plan that began with the City of Columbia’s parking rate increase approved by City Council on December 4, 2024 and implemented on March 1, 2025. This initiative was designed to ensure that revenue generated through the updated rate structure could be directly reinvested into maintaining, modernizing, and extending the life of our parking facilities. By aligning these improvements with the broader strategic vision for a safer, more reliable and more accessible parking system, the City continues to deliver on its commitment to strengthening infrastructure and enhancing the overall experience for residents, businesses and visitors.

For More Information

To stay informed on project updates, deck reopening dates, and parking alternatives, please visit: https://parking.columbiasc.gov/