ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The city of Asheville will temporarily close two downtown parking decks for major repairs beginning in early August, starting with the Rankin Avenue garage.

The Rankin garage is scheduled to close completely for about one month starting Aug. 1. Once that work is completed, the Wall Street garage will close for a similar one-month repair period. City officials expect both garages to reopen by early October. Additional work that does not require closures will continue through the end of the year.

City officials acknowledged the disruption the closures may cause for downtown visitors, residents, businesses and employees but said the phased closures are the safest and most efficient way to complete the work. Construction timelines may shift depending on unforeseen conditions.

Alternative parking is available throughout downtown, including the Harrah’s Cherokee Center garage and two other city-owned decks that will remain open. Buncombe County also operates two public garages on College Street and Sears Alley, offering more than 1,200 parking spaces. On-street parking and privately owned lots are also available.

Real-time parking availability for city and county decks can be found on the Asheville App.