The concept of building at least one more parking ramp in Bismarck's downtown district continues to be favored by city officials and two committees assigned to study it.

A strong possibility appears to be about one-half a city block between Broadway and Thayer avenues on Sixth Street.

Bismarck Parking Authority members and the parking task force each revisited the project Thursday.

"We are at the talking stage," said Jim Christianson, a member of both panels. "We are looking at the Sixth Street site and a library location."

The authority has been considering those sites for new ramps. He said the city has been favorable about the ramp project.

"The city is doing the leg work for who would be its customers," Christianson said.

He said studies were previously completed on the Sixth Street site in 2005. The total number of parking spaces needed and costs are still being reviewed.

Four years ago, a 400-vehicle ramp was projected to cost more than $5 million, according to Rocky Gordon of Gordon Property, who manages the existing ramp sites for the Parking Authority.

"If a decision is made to move ahead with it, we will have to update some of the costs," Christianson said.

He said he expects the project to be funded by both a city-issued bond and the tax increment program.

He said the downtown retail area still needs parking for its customers.

"If anything, we are at risk of some retail businesses moving out because there is not enough parking space," Christianson said.

He said the shortage would remain in the downtown area despite St. Alexius Medical Center's plans for creating 90 new parking spots. These are to be located just three blocks west of the intended ramp site.

"The demand is not going away," Christianson said, adding that banks are expanding. He said inquiries have been made of companies like Montana-Dakota Utilities and their needs.

He said he hopes the work could start on the proposed parking ramp in the spring of 2009. Its completion is expected to take 16 months.

"We'll really try to get the momentum going on this after the first of January," Christianson said.

(Reach reporter LeAnn Eckroth at 250-8264 or leann.eckroth@;bismarcktribune.com.)