Virginia's need may be Richmond's answer for the vexing problem of parking downtown -- including spaces for the performing-arts center set to open next year.

The state is looking for at least 1,000 new parking spaces in downtown Richmond to support a major expansion of the government's presence there with the pending purchase and renovation of Main Street Centre, also known as the Verizon building, at 600 E. Main St.

The Broad Street Community Development Authority held private discussions yesterday with state and city officials about possible long-term joint parking opportunities, according to a statement released by the authority's board of directors.

The opportunities include construction of a new deck at East Grace and Seventh streets, now a surface parking lot directly facing the new Richmond CenterStage performing-arts center, and the full renovation or replacement of an unfinished parking deck on East Franklin Street.

The five-year-old authority owns both properties but can't afford to build new decks to serve the fast-growing need for parking by new businesses and public institutions downtown. Chief among them is CenterStage, scheduled to open in fall 2009 in the block that formerly housed Thalhimer's department store and the Carpenter Center for the Performing Arts.

The authority is scheduled to meet with representatives of CenterStage Foundation tomorrow to discuss a possible interim agreement to ensure enough nearby parking for events at the new arts center. However, officials for the arts center say a new deck on Grace Street would be ideal.

"If we could get a multi-level parking deck just a stone's throw from our door, that would just be heaven," said Martin J. Rust, chairman of the foundation's parking committee.

Yesterday's talks, held at the offices of Troutman Sanders law firm, also included Richmond economic development officials.

"I'm there to represent the city's interests," said Carthan F. Currin III, the city's economic development director and an ex-officio member of the authority board. "I'm there to monitor the discussions."

Currin has been the primary link between the state and the authority because of his past ties to state government.

"I initially started discussions with Carthan to see how the state and city could work together to strengthen downtown," said Richard F. Sliwoski, director of the Virginia Department of General Services. "It just sort of blossomed."

Sliwoski is trying to ensure enough parking for state employees and visitors at Main Street Centre, which the state is buying and renovating with bond money approved by the General Assembly this year. The building will be the new home of the Virginia Department of Taxation and eventually a number of other state agencies that are leasing space and parking elsewhere.

Main Street Centre has a four-level underground garage with 329 spaces, but Sliwoski estimates that the state will need at least 1,000 spaces for the building. The proposed new garages also could help support an office building that may be proposed by a public-private partnership on East Broad Street across from the Library of Virginia.

Richmond officials say they need more parking to support new businesses downtown, such as the Hilton Garden Hotel and The National theater, as well as the arts center, the new federal courthouse, and other public institutions.

It's not clear yet how the new garages would be financed, but the authority would be responsible for developing them. The timetable is urgent for the state, which expects to close on the purchase of the Main Street Centre in September, as well as for the city and CenterStage Foundation.

"Sooner rather than later," Sliwoski said. "I'd like to have most of the details locked up within six months if possible."
Contact Michael Martz at (804) 649-6964 or mmartz@timesdispatch.com.