ROANOKE, Va. – Changes are coming to Carilion Clinic’s construction plans in the Crystal Spring area.
On Monday night, Roanoke City Council voted to unanimously approve updated plans for a parking garage.
“We asked the city council to approve a parking garage at the corner of Jefferson and McClanahan,” said Carilion’s Senior Director for Corporate Communications, Chris Turnbull.
The parking garage will serve the expected increase in patients and staff who will be served at the Crystal Spring Tower, which is still under construction.
Original plans were approved back in 2019 for a new behavioral and mental health facility including a parking garage.
However, the plans for a new facility are on hold because of financial concerns.
“Instead we are going to reconfigure the space for the garage and we are considering a number of options for the existing mental health facility there. It remains a priority,” said Turnbull.
People who live along Jefferson Street voiced their support for the project at Monday’s meeting and urged caution for pedestrian safety.
“I’m asking the city if you would continue to add more crosswalks and traffic signs especially along Jefferson Street, Broadway, and McClanahan which many are directed to come through on their way to Carilion,” said Southwest Roanoke resident, Irene Malachowsky.
The parking garage will include 600 parking spots, not just for Carilion patients and staff, but also for the public to use at no charge.
“I think this is going to work well for us,” said Mayor Sherman Lea. “We support this ordinance and also let the citizens know that we are receptive and we are going to look at those things and recognize that a lot of traffic may increase.”
The parking garage is expected to be complete in 2025, the same year Carilion’s Crystal Spring Tower is expected to be up and running.