Columbia plans to upgrade parking garage cameras

Camera upgrades are in the works all six city-owned downtown parking garages.

The city will install new cameras at the entrances and exits of garages to accompany new credit card payment machines.

The top level of the Fifth and Walnut parking garage will get additional cameras to increase surveillance.

“So we can get a full sense of who is on top of the garage and what’s happening up there,” said Parking and Transit Manager Leah Christian.

She said the upgrades will centralize camera footage as they plan to convert the current analog system to an IP system.

The project is estimated to cost $250,000 through the 2018 Parking Enterprise Fund. Installation is expected to begin in May.

An interested parties meeting is planned for 5:30 p.m. March 26 at city hall.

A public hearing is planned and the project will go before the Columbia City Council for final approval in April.