COVINGTON — This time next year, anyone who's ever had to search for a parking space in downtown Covington should find relief.

        Construction of a 364-space parking garage designed to spur downtown development will begin Dec. 17, city officials said.

        The five-level parking garage at Fifth St. and Scott Blvd. is to relieve parking shortages and promote growth in Covington's Downtown Central Business District.

        Kristi Nader, executive director of the Covington Business Council, described the parking garage as “the missing link” that will spur development farther south down Madison Avenue.

        “We think it's wonderful,” Ms. Nader said. “Anyone who works downtown knows parking is an issue, and anyone who shops downtown knows that parking is an issue.”

        Construction of the $4.1 million structure is expected to take a year.

        “Parking's needed in the downtown, as the downtown continues to grow,” Covington Mayor Butch Callery said. “Development is going on all around (Fifth St. and Scott Blvd.), and the city garage at 7th and Madison is almost fully occupied.”

        The garage will benefit the ongoing conversion of the historic Odd Fellows Hall at Fifth St. and Scott Blvd. into retail and office space. A similar project also has been proposed for the Ice House building at 424-426 Scott Blvd.

        Mr. Callery said the Internal Revenue Service also is talking about adding jobs at the Gateway Center, about two blocks north of the planned parking garage.

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