Finding a parking place near the Duval County Courthouse will get even easier when a new surface lot under construction opens for business this month.
The lot, located south of Adams Street between Broad and Clay streets, is scheduled to be complete by Dec. 31.
More than 150 spaces — including short-term, long-term, handicap and motorcycle spaces — will be available in the fenced and landscaped lot.
The new parking option was designed along the lines of more stringent zoning requirements for all Downtown surface parking lots enacted by City Council in 2011.
In addition to enhanced design and landscaping standards, new regulations went into effect regarding maintenance and upkeep of the lots.
"Our first objective was to comply with the ordinance. Our second objective was to make the facility an attractive location," said Micky Biss, president of Miami-based Biss Realty Inc. and owner of the property.
"We hope the lot complements the courthouse and adds to the gentrification of that part of Downtown," he said.
Jim Klement, redevelopment coordinator for the city Office of Economic Development, said the new parking lot could be the first in a trend.
Other similar proposed projects are expected to be presented Dec. 19 to the Downtown Development Review Board.
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