Jim Chiprean

City officials celebrated the culmination of the Centre City parking garage project on Tuesday, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that drew dozens of people and included current and former county and city officials.

The garage is a four-story, 239-space building at the corner of McKean and Jefferson streets. It features state-of-the-art electronic pay kiosks, and is part of the $13.2 million Centre City project that Jim Chiprean, city parking manager, called “a prime example of government and business working together.”

“Today I stress the importance of teamwork,” Chiprean said. “There has never been a group more committed to a project. Mayor (Tom) Donaldson, along with council, were able to make this project a reality where many others before them were unsuccessful in bringing it to fruition.”

The garage cost about $3.9 million to construct. The project also includes a 76-room Marriott Springhill Suites hotel that is expected to open later this year.

Donaldson said the project was in a “do-or-die” state when he took office.

“I'm about making our downtown grow and working with anybody we need to work with to bring our city into the future,” he said.

Art Cordwell, the former executive director of Butler Redevelopment Authority, also spoke at Tuesday's ceremony, calling the garage project a symbol of what the city must accomplish if it is going to reinvigorate itself.

“If we all work together for the goals of the community and put (aside) our petty goals, we can accomplish great things,” he said. “You either grow or you die. You can't stand still.”

The grand opening also included representatives from the offices of state Sen. Scott Hutchinson, R-21st, and Congressman Mike Kelly, R-3rd. Hutchinson's office presented the city with a Certificate of Commendation commemorating the garage's opening, and Kelly's office presented a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition as part of the ceremony.