Parking lots added in downtown Highland

By Brittany Blackwell
Reporter • The City of Highland continues expanding public parking downtown to meet the needs of its residents.

The most recent expansion is a public parking lot at the corner of Main and Pine streets near the downtown square. This project was initiated after the city acquired property formerly occupied by local bar Chipper’s, as well as an adjacent vacant lot, in late 2025.

The project added 27 new parking spaces, including an ADA-accessible space, all of which are free and open to the public, according to Public Works Director Joe Gillespie.

“Businesses around the square, festivals and events all have a common request of the city — to have more parking available,” Gillespie said. “This was an opportunity for us to increase parking within a half a block of the square.”

DJR Properties LLC sold the lot to the city, which has been home to other businesses over the years, including PJ’s. The sports bar relocated to the east side of the square on Washington Street, becoming Da Garage.

Reflecting on previous efforts, Gillespie noted, “In 2021, we completed a similar parking lot for the public at the corner of Walnut and Main streets, one block west of the square near the post office. Two years later, we completed a smaller parking lot across the street from city hall off Zschokke and Broadway.”