Florence County Council moving forward with new parking deck

By: WMBF News

FLORENCE COUNTY, SC (WMBF) – The Florence County Council is taking the first step to building a parking garage in downtown Florence.

Council members passed the first reading of an ordinance during Thursday’s county council meeting. It introduced a bond ordinance for up to $15 million.

County officials expect the four-level deck to cost around $12 million.

Florence County Administrator Rusty Smith said the bond will be refinanced and $4 million or $5 million dollars will come from the Florence County penny sales tax.

The refinancing will save $700,000 of debt as well. Smith said there will be no millage or tax increase for Florence County taxpayers.

No official design of the parking deck has been released yet, but it is expected to be built behind the county complex building.

Chastity Barnes lives in Florence and visits the county complex building to pay her taxes.

“It’s very congested, especially with all the entertainment activities they are trying to bring, which is great but you can’t find parking spots for them.

WMBF Web Article – Florence County Council moving forward with new parking deck