The Clearwater City Council is scheduled to vote on building a seven-story parking garage for the north end of the beach at a public meeting Wednesday night.
"It has been a need on the beach for a long time," said Mayor George Cretekos, who supports the project.
The legally binding development agreement the City Council will vote on calls for developer Michael Connor to build a 642-space garage.
The city would spend $11.3 million on 450 parking spaces located on levels 2 through 6. A last minute change to the deal lets the developer to decide whether the bottom and top floors will be leased or hourly parking.
Opponents complain the parking garage is too big and will attract more traffic to the area.
"That’s a lot of concrete," said Ed Olin. "I’m completely opposed to that."
The parking garage would be built on the surface lot behind the Pelican Walk Plaza on Mandalay Avenue and Baymont Street. Business owners said it's needed for their customers and employees.
"I think it’s just going to alleviate a lot of the problems for employees that work on the beach," said Jay Thomas, owner of The Brown Boxer. "The spots are definitely needed, and I can speak for most of the businesses along the corridor."
The City Council is expected to approve the project. In June, they unanimously approved a general agreement for the new garage.
“I’m hopeful that this one will go through," Cretekos said. "So that we can address, not necessarily an everyday shortage of parking, but at least give the employees and the businesses an opportunity to service their customers."
The public City Council meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. inside City Hall.