Abilene City Council will make a decision Thursday whether to purchase the former Greyhound Bus building across the street from the Abilene Civic Center as a possibility to expand parking.

“Ownership of this property provides the City with options for future uses that could include expansion of Civic Center parking,” City Manager Larry Gilley said Monday.

Parking has been hard to come by at the Abilene Civic Center.

"It seemed like people were having to find creative places to park and were creating parking spaces out of non-parking spaces," Jamie Bearden, public relations director for Big Brothers Big Sisters said.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is just one building the city recently purchased as a possibility for more parking. They also purchased Master Cleaners and an auto shop in the area.

Bearden said staff often had trouble finding parking for work because of Civic Center events. She said the city's purchase of their former building was a win-win for everyone since they are better equipped to serve the community in their new building on Chestnut Street.

"The additional parking for the Civic Center is just going to be great. I think it's going to really enhance people's experience when they do go there for different activities," she said.

If the city purchases the former Greyhound Bus service building, it will cost the city about $235,000 plus closing costs.

Abilene Civic Center Manager Audrey Perry said she's optimistic about the purchase since customers and nearby businesses have voiced their concerns about parking.

"We are capable of having up to 5 events going on at the same time and we look forward to the possibility of being able to offer more parking," Perry said.

The main auditorium at the Civic Center alone can seat 2,121 people. Perry said there are 782 parking spaces in their main parking lot and the surrounding area combined. Of those spaces, 12 are reserved.