As if a new bridge, housing complex and Northwest Savings Bank headquarters were not enough to keep "sidewalk superintendents" busy in downtown Warren, now there's more construction to watch.

Workmen wasted no time getting down to business on Warren's new parking garage.

Less than a week after John Anderson Construction razed three houses on Clark St. to make way for the new five-level garage, workmen were already busy on Monday excavating for the "footers" for the garage.

After the foundation work is completed, construction by Perry Construction, the general contractor, will then move into the drilling phase, with drilling beginning as early as this week.

The 658-space garage will cover almost one-acre, stretching from Liberty St. to within a few feet of the rear of the Times Observer building.

From the first level to the top deck, the garage will stand 46 feet high, not including the 50-foot high brick and glass tower on the Clark St. side of the garage. The garage will be equipped with an elevator.

The main entrance and exit for motorists will both be located on Clark St., although Clark St. will be realigned so that it is north of its present location.

The ramp will have five levels, one at street level and four upper levels, and the design will allow drivers to "short circuit" and reach the main exit from any level.

R.W. Larson Architects of Warren has handled the landscaping aspect of the parking garage for Thomas Harley Architects, the architect for "Impact Warren."

A considerable amount of greenery has been incorporated into the project.

Vertical mesh will be installed at intervals along the facade, reaching from the street level to the top level of the ramp, so that vines may be placed on sections of the exterior.

David Sobina, landscape architect for R.W. Larson, said the flowering vines will climb trellises between each column of the parking garage.

Sobina said there will also be trees and new street lights placed alternately along Clark St. and evergreens will be planted outside portions of the building. The rest of the garage will be landscaped with flowering shrubs, ground cover and perennials, said Sobina.

The garage is a key component of "Impact Warren," replacing the parking lost to new construction related to riverfront revitalization at the "Island" parking lot. The garage will also provide parking for employees of Northwest Savings' new corporate headquarters and a proposed riverfront motel and small convention center on Clark St. Three new housing projects in downtown Warren will also increase the need for parking.

Spaces in the five-story garage will be leased by the month at a projected rate of $35.

Warren City Council has approved up to $6 million in interim financing to construct the parking garage, although state money pledged by Gov. Ed Rendell is expected to be received eventually.