Petersburg Moves Forward on Parking Deck Plans

City eyes location for first parking structure as Parking Authority bill awaits governor's signature

Mar. 13, 2026 at 10:51pm

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Petersburg, Virginia is one step closer to addressing its parking challenges as the state legislature has passed a bill to establish a Petersburg Parking Authority. The city is already conducting a parking study and eyeing a location near the new downtown courthouse complex for its first parking deck.

Why it matters

Improving parking access is seen as crucial to supporting the city's growing businesses and tourism industry, including the new Live! Casino and the upcoming courthouse complex opening in 2027.

The details

The Petersburg Parking Authority bill, sponsored by Delegate Kimberly Pope Adams, gives the city council the power to establish a parking authority that can build and operate off-street parking structures like decks. A city spokesperson said a parking deck for the new courthouse complex has been discussed, to be located on a nearby city-owned lot. A comprehensive parking study is underway and expected to be completed by summer.

  • The Petersburg Parking Authority bill passed the state senate this week, the final step before going to Governor Abigail Spanberger's desk.
  • The new parking authority would not take effect until July 1, after the governor's signature.
  • The city's parking study is expected to be finished by summer 2026.

The players

Kimberly Pope Adams

The delegate who sponsored the bill to establish the Petersburg Parking Authority.

Abigail Spanberger

The Governor of Virginia who is expected to sign the Petersburg Parking Authority bill into law.

Petersburg

The city in Virginia that is working to address its parking challenges, including plans for the city's first parking deck.

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What they’re saying

“What I would love to see is increased tourism. Because we are preparing ourselves to allow even more tourists to come and visit our historic city.”

— Kimberly Pope Adams, Delegate

“As Petersburg continues to grow, especially in the Downtown area, and as more residents and businesses choose to live and work here, the need for parking increases. The City's goal is to ensure that businesses have convenient parking to support their customers and operations.”

— Petersburg City Spokesperson

What’s next

The Petersburg City Council will need to appoint members to the new Parking Authority once the bill is signed into law by the governor. The city has not yet provided a timeline for those appointments.

The takeaway

Petersburg's efforts to establish a Parking Authority and build its first parking deck demonstrate the city's commitment to supporting its growing businesses and tourism industry by addressing longstanding parking challenges. The new parking solutions could help attract more visitors to the city's historic downtown.