The Athens-Clarke Commission has approved a new downtown parking deck as part of a project that also will include retail and office space.

The commission also voted Tuesday night to sign an agreement with Atlanta developer Batson-Cook to build the deck and share costs for the $17 million, 520-space deck.

The project has drawn opposition, with some residents objecting to its size and costs.

Commissioner Ed Robinson said the county is required to build the deck because voters approved it as part of a 2004 referendum on a 1 percent sales tax.

Officials say they will have to charge $2 per hour to park in the new deck in 2011, rising to $2.25 in 2012 and $2.50 in 2013. The current rate for deck parking in Athens is $1.50 per hour.