More Parking Coming To Downtown Cookeville

More parking will be added in downtown Cookeville.

A lease agreement approved by the City Council last night allows the city to construct a parking lot at First Baptist Church’s gravel lot off Spring and Walnut. Mayor Ricky Shelton said it will add 185 parking spaces.

“This is a good step in addressing the needs for downtown parking,” Shelton said. “Especially nights, weekends, and special events, which we don’t have enough of.”

Spaces will be open to the public nights, weekends, and holidays. A number of spaces will be reserved for the church and SAIC employees.

The lease agreement will cost the city $1 a year.