“It is our third parking deck downtown,” Nicewarner explains,“and it opened in early August.” Conveniently located across from the ballpark, the new garage will cater to event attendees, providing easy access for fans and tourists. He emphasizes that the facility also plays a central role in Hagerstown’s push to make the downtown more pedestrian-friendly. “You can pretty much do anything you need to do within a short walk,” he says. The new garage and existing parking infrastructure support this vision by offering convenient parking options within a few blocks of key destinations, whether it’s the ballpark, arts district, or downtown businesses. COLLABORATION: THE FOUNDATION OF HAGERSTOWN’S GROWTH Hagerstown has not achieved its success in isolation.The intricate dance of urban development, revitalization, and addressing community needs is a collective effort, relying heavily on partnerships across government, business, and community groups. vision.The structure, which will soon host volleyball, basketball, and soccer tournaments, among other events, represents the city’s ongoing investment in building infrastructure to support residents and the influx of visitors for sports events. “We just had a topping-off ceremony for the last beam,” Nicewarner says, describing the pride and excitement of watching this long-awaited project come together. “The new construction is going to add to what Jill mentioned—it’s not just an amenity for our youth but also an attraction for outside groups to come in and participate in youth sports and other activities,” he explains. HUB CITY GARAGE In a city that’s rapidly growing in population and attractions, managing traffic and parking is essential to maintaining ease of movement for residents and visitors. Hagerstown’s latest infrastructure investment, the $12 million Hub City Garage, is poised to play a key role in addressing those needs while enhancing the city’s overall walkability. 10 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 10
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