First Posted: 1/15/2009

As any employee of The Robesonian is keenly aware, downtown Lumberton needs more parking spaces. Our parking lot - despite a sign that threatens towing at the owner's expense - is routinely used by people who aren't employees here or people who aren't doing business here.
We aren't the only ones often inconvenienced. Anyone who works, shops or conducts business downtown has had the experience of circling the block a couple of times.
But relief might be on the way.
On Monday night, the county Board of Commissioners announced a curious quid pro quo with Lumberton businessman Rusty Livermore. The county, using a low-interest loan, buys 81 acres of land from Livermore for COMtech, and Livermore builds and operates a parking deck beside the county courthouse.
It's a win-win-win situation, with the city of Lumberton being sort of a silent partner.
The county gets land at the COMtech Park that will be useful in economic development, the county gets parking for the courthouse, the main attraction for downtown Lumberton, and downtown merchants become more convenient destinations for customers.
A parking deck beside the courthouse has been talked about for years, but it's ability to generate sufficient revenue to cover the costs has been the hurdle that was too high to clear. Livermore, perhaps emboldened by a $2.4 million sale, appears willing to take a chance that a parking lot can be profitable.
There's much to be done before a parking deck rises in downtown Lumberton. But never have the odds of that happening been greater.