The two large off-street parking lots were developed through the fine cooperation of the City and the Retail Merchants Committee of the St. Marys Chamber of Commerce with contributions from the merchants, organizations and individuals interested in helping with this civic improvement.

A portion of the Miami and Erie Canal was flumed east of Chestnut street and the canal bed filled in for the parking lot. The canal land was given to the City for public use by the state. The state also contributed toward fluming the canal.