City Council will vote on a recommendation to enter into a three-year lease with the First Presbyterian Church, 9 N. College Street, in hopes to help alleviate the Uptown parking problem.

The city plans to lease the lot from the church, paying $35,200 the first year, $26,000 the second and $27,000 the third.

The leasing of the lot will decrease the number of long-term parking spaces but will increase the number of short-term spaces. Short-term spaces will increase parking turnover Uptown.

"This lot has a great location and will create 30 new parking spaces. This is a big win for the community," said Councilman Pat Lang, chairman of the Parking Committee.

Mayor Ric Abel said the city hopes to break even when purchasing the spaces, and if profits are created, they will be used for general city expenses.

The 30 new spaces also bring 30 new parking meters. The city hopes the money made from the meters, with a charge of 50 cents an hour, will pay for the lease and maintenance of the lot, Abel said

If the council passes the recommendation at tonight's meeting, the lot should be available by this summer, he said.- Mary Ellen Hardies