Key West to Hold Public Meeting on Simonton Street Parking Garage Proposal

City officials are asking residents for input on a proposal to build a new parking garage on Simonton Street that would add 85 parking spaces and aim to relieve pressure on the middle blocks of Duval Street. A public meeting is scheduled for Jan. 27 at 2 p.m. at City Hall, 1300 White Street, where neighbors and business owners can learn details and offer feedback.

The site under consideration is the parking lot that now serves Key West Fire Station #2. In the 1970s a three-level parking structure occupied that footprint before it was removed in the early 2000s after structural deterioration. The City of Key West is exploring whether a modern replacement could serve current needs without repeating past problems.

Most businesses in the corridor are small, locally owned shops that depend on convenient parking for customers and workers. The proposed 85 additional spaces are intended to serve both customers and employees, reducing competition for street parking in the historic neighborhood and potentially easing deliveries and shift changes for shop staff. City planners say the goal is to balance access with preservation of the district’s pedestrian character.

Residents and property owners will want to weigh several practical issues at the meeting. A new structure could change traffic patterns, sight lines, and the visual fabric of nearby historic buildings. Construction would bring temporary disruption for nearby businesses, and long-term management questions remain, including who would control pricing, hours, and use of the spaces for employees versus short-term customer parking.

The City is positioning the proposal as a local solution to everyday congestion on Simonton and adjacent blocks, where curbside spots are often at a premium. For small business owners, added off-street parking could translate into steadier customer flow and fewer lost sales when shoppers circle for a spot. For employees, reliable parking would reduce time spent looking for parking and could make staffing late shifts more practical.

Key West residents who want to participate should attend the Jan. 27 meeting at 2 p.m. in City Hall, 1300 White Street, to hear the proposal and provide public comment. Community input at that meeting will be an early step in shaping whether the project advances to detailed design, environmental review, or remains a concept.

What happens next will matter for daily life on Simonton and Duval: decisions about garage size, design, and management will affect parking availability, neighborhood character, and the operations of dozens of small shops. Residents who care about parking, commerce, and preserving the feel of the historic district will have a clear opportunity to influence the outcome.