A long-delayed, controversial parking structure in Uptown Whittier is expected to open in January 2021 now that the city has awarded a construction contract, city officials said.

A month after delaying a decision on whether to go ahead with the project, the Whittier City Council last week awarded a nearly $11 million contract to Largo Concrete Inc. to build the 351-space, city-owned parking structure. The move came on a 3-2 vote.

The new structure, planned for the east side of Comstock Avenue between Bailey and Philadelphia streets, was first proposed in the 2008 Uptown Specific Plan, which maps out development for Uptown. The project was delayed when the state eliminated redevelopment agencies in 2012, which in turn delayed the city’s ability to access the needed money, city officials have said.

Councilwoman Cathy Warner, who a month ago had concerns, provided the third key vote after receiving assurances from city staff that a parking management plan, including parking meters, would be implemented throughout Uptown.

Councilmen Josue Alvarado and Henry Bouchot, who opposed the contract, questioned the necessity and cost, while Mayor Joe Vinatieri and Councilman Fernando Dutra cited Uptown Whittier merchants, who insisted the additional parking is needed.

“I know a lot of you are talking about streetscape,” Ricardo Diaz, owner of the soon-to-open Whittier Brewery, said about a beautification plan for the area at the Nov. 11 meeting.

“But the parking structure is a concrete step in providing access to Uptown Whittier,” Diaz said. “One complaint about Uptown Whittier is the lack of parking. Let’s get one step done so we work on others.”

Alvarado and Bouchot said they would rather spend the nearly $11 million elsewhere, such as on the nearly $4 million streetscape plan, which is facing a $3.2 million funding gap, than on a structure they predicted would end up being only half full.

“How do you know it’s not management and not supply?” Bouchot asked. He pointed out the city’s existing parking structure now is half-empty. Merchants and others, including PIH Health officials, say customers and others don’t want to use it because it’s outdated and unsafe.

Alvarado and Bouchot also complained the cost has climbed from $9.4 million for 455 stalls in 2017 to a total of $13.3 million for 351 stalls. The contract approved last week did not include the costs associated with design.

But Dutra said the people who are most affected — the business community — want the parking structure because they know it’s needed.

“If you want to keep Uptown without any growth, leave it the way it is,” he said. “You want more restaurants and shops? You do that by providing parking.”

Dutra said he still favors finding money for the streetscape plan, but without parking, no one will come.

Alvarado also wanted a provision blocking the city from renting much of the parking structure to one entity, such as PIH Health which now has permits to use much of the city’ existing facility. His proposal was ignored.

Kyle Cason, interim director of public works, said the city is not renting out the new parking to any entity, including PIH Health.

Alvarado also favored waiting to see if federal tariffs — which have been pushing construction costs higher on many public projects, including the Gold Line extension in the San Gabriel Valley — are lowered.

Construction is expected to begin in January, Cason said. The temporary lot on the nearby former Alpha Beta market will remain open to offset the loss of the lot on Comstock Avenue, he added.

Cason said construction shouldn’t affect Comstock and the businesses that border the lot much.