The public are being given a chance this week to have their say on the design of a new 500/600-space multi-storey car park to be built beside Crown Pools.
The new park will replace the 900-space Crown Car park that was demolished seven years ago after it was found to be seriously damaged by Concrete Cancer.
Crown car park has been operated as a surface park since then with 200 spaces, but last year the borough announced it would be building a new multi-storey park.
The park will be a system-built construction with a planned life of 40 years. It will take up about two thirds of the space at Crown Car Park, but could be extended if it is felt to be inadequate.
Its parts will be constructed off the site and will be built at Crown Street during a four-month period during the middle of next year. It is expected to cost about £5m.
There are two designs that have been drawn up – one has a similar entrance to the existing park with a tunnel leading to the park, while the other has steps and an external lift.
The look of the car park is also very different in the two proposals.
They are on show at the Town Hall today, tomorrow, Friday and Saturday and visitors will be given the chance to indicate which of the proposals they like.
The survey can also be seen online at www.ipswich.gov.uk and people can give feedback directly into that.
Ipswich council leader David Ellesmere said: “We want to give those who will use the park the chance to say which of the designs they prefer before we settle on an exact proposal later this year.
“This will be the opportunity for everyone to see what is proposed.”
Mr Ellesmere said the council was keen to develop a more welcoming pedestrian entrance to the car park than the existing tunnel – but wanted the views of car park users before making a final decision.
The two proposed structures also look considerably different – although they are only indications of the kind of building that might go up.
The whole car park will be closed for several months next year while the new building goes up – but there is already one new temporary car park on the site of the former Civic Centre and the borough is due to open another on the site of the former police station in Elm Street next month.
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