A new central garage moved closer to fruition Thursday, when the public works committee of the Austin City Council met.

More progress is expected to be discussed Monday, when council members assemble for a regular meeting.

According to Jon Erichson, city engineer and director of public works, he wants the entire council apprised of the situation "so we can keep it moving forward."

Erichson is also hoping for approval from the council members to hire an architect to design the new central garage, which could accommodate all city departments from a single location.

Also Thursday afternoon, Erichson updated public works committee chair Peter Christopherson, 2nd Ward, and committee member, Gloria Nordin, 3rd Ward, on progress with the east side parking lot project.

Erichson told the committee members, early cost estimates put the price-tage for the new parking lot at $99,030.

However, "hard" numbers of the costs of environmental abatements remain unknown at this time.

The proposed parking lot along 4th Avenue NE near the 10th Street intersection would have 48 parking spaces and four handicap spaces.

A total of $100,000 has been budgeted for the project.

Christopherson and Nordin encouraged Erichson to have all figures ready for review at the Nov. 4 meeting of the Austin City Council.

In other business, the public works committee:

— Approved plans for Austin Medical Center-Mayo Health System to construct sidewalk from the area near the former Wendy's restaurant parking lot to the clinic-hospital urgent care center parking lot. AMC owns the former restaurant property and it is used by its employees for parking. The sidewalk should be installed sometime in 2003.

— Approved recommendation to move "No Parking" restrictions to eradicate possible traffic hazard along 8th Avenue/19th Street NW.

— Approved new parking restrictions along 5th Place SE to alleviate possible traffic hazards caused by parked vehicles. No parking will be allowed on the south side of the street. Motorists face acute traffic safety concerns when pickups and other trucks or vans are parked along the street at the intersection, obscuring vision. The street is in the final stages of curb and gutter construction with asphalting. Fifth Place SE intersects with 6th Avenue and 9th Street and is also a popular intersection for pedestrians including students walking to and from classes at Ellis Middle School. Residents will be polled to determine how the new parking restriction is working to alleviate traffic and pedestrian safety concerns.