The parking lot will increase parking availability near Gruene Hall and Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar, the news release states.
The lot is being constructed by Molak Corporation, the parent company of Gruene Hall and Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar, in two phases.
The details
The lot is designed to maintain the district’s historic character and reduce runoff, officials said. The new parking facility will also include green spaces between drive aisles along homeowners' fence lines that will allow rainwater to soak into the ground and reduce runoff.
The lot will also have a detention pond to slow the flow of stormwater and help mitigate potential flooding—which Crystal Kinman, events and promotions manager at Molak Corporation, said is their most common issue that often leaves vehicles stuck in the mud.
"As Gruene’s popularity continues to grow, it became clear that a long-term parking solution was needed," Kinman said in an email to Community Impact.
Diving in deeper
To help with parking during construction, a complimentary shuttle service will operate Friday through Sunday, according to the Gruene's Historic District website. The shuttle will pick visitors up from the parking lot across from Rockin’ R River Rides, located at 1404 Gruene Road, and drop them off near the front of Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar. Pickup and drop-off will be at the same location, and additional wayfinding signage will direct visitors to shuttle parking while work is underway.
Parking will remain free, and there are no plans for a paid parking system or further expansion beyond this project, Kinman said.
Looking ahead
The parking lot is anticipated to be completed in late spring.
