The Town of Lexington has resolved a downtown public parking problem.

In collaboration with Masonic Lodge #152, about 165 parking spots will be created at North Church and East Butler Streets.

The town has paid $113,244.67 for use of the Masonic lodge parking, town spokesperson Jennifer Dowden said.

These spots include 10 reserved spots for Century 21 Vanguard, 35 leased spaces for a new East Main Street hotel and 120 public spots.

100 of the parking spots will be on a grassed lot on the former Liverman Hospital site, which is to be demolished this week. The grassed lot will be temporary overflow spaces until more permanent parking can be added downtown.

“The Town of Lexington has experienced tremendous economic growth with a booming downtown thanks to our award-winning Ice-house Amphitheater,” said Mayor Steve MacDougall. “Since opening in Fall 2016, we have welcomed 5 new restaurants in the historic district.”

Dick Kyzer, Masonic Lodge #152 Secretary, said, “Our Masonic Lodge is in the heart of downtown Lexington. We are excited to see the revitalization taking place, thus it is important that we work with the Town of Lexington to provide additional parking to meet the needs to welcome citizens and guests to our Main St. district.”

The Town of Lexington’s downtown revitalization continues with the construction of a new 100-room hotel at 116 E. Main Street. Plans for this $14 million project are to be submitted to the town this summer.

These additional 165 parking spots are the result of continued downtown expansion.

Last year, the town opened 130 parking spots on S. Church Street, which serves the Lexington Municipal Complex, Virginia Hylton Park, Palmetto Collegiate Institute and the Icehouse Amphitheater, which has another 60 parking spots.