An automated parking garage coming to downtown Raleigh could be a "catalyst" for furthering conversations for driverless cars in the city, says Mayor Janet Cowell. The city has approved the permitting for a 228-space automated parking deck that will be part of the greater Gateway Corridor project, located at 130 Kindley Street. Other WRAL Top Stories Christopher Alan, CEO of AUTOParkit, previously told WRAL the technology for the kiosk-like system can accommodate all car types, including driverless vehicles. He told WRAL this April while the company currently does not have a project in the United States that houses autonomous vehicles, there have been active discussions to make that a reality. "We would like to," Alan said. "We've had talks on the perimeter, and hopefully those will move forward, but multiple facilities that are capable." When asked for comment for the initial story earlier this April, Mayor Cowell responded, acknowledging the city has previously engaged in "very high-level introductory conversations" about it. "It’s been a while - more than a year - but, the City has engaged in very high-level introductory conversations with driverless car companies," she wrote. About the AUTOParkit deck specifically: "A project like the Kindley Street project could certainly be a catalyst to furthering conversations in Raleigh." Mayor Cowell also told WRAL that many of the city's major roads, being state-owned and maintained, would need to be involved in potential planning. WRAL sought comment from NCDOT, to which a spokesperson said while autonomous vehicle testing is rising in North Carolina, there have not been any new inquiries from other companies to locate to Raleigh since Waymo's deployment to Charlotte: Over the years, NCDOT has spoken with several companies about self-driving technologies. We are encouraging self-driving technology and are eager to discuss it with any interested companies. We recognize