Basilica to build $1.9M parking ramp near Drake University

For years, the county and the church have shared parking without problems, but expanded services have increased pressure on available space.

Driving the news: Supervisors voted last month to transfer roughly half an acre that connects the properties to the basilica.

• The church didn't pay for the land, but will cover the construction costs.
• In return, the public, including Life Services staff and clients, will have free access to the ramp.

By the numbers: The county has 55 stalls on the land.

• There will be a total of 116 shared stalls once the project is finished.

What's next: The first $300,000 phase will remove a berm, reinforce a retaining wall and add 16–18 stalls. It must be completed within three years or the land will revert to the county.

• The second phase is a one-story ramp and will be completed as soon as fundraising allows, which church parishioner and project leader Ryan Galloway tells Axios is a "very high priority."