Space-age parking garage needs new owner

EDINBURGH, Scotland -- A space-age parking garage in Edinburgh, Scotland, has gone unused since the company that owned it went bankrupt four years ago.

The "Sky Park" was in operation for only two years, The Scotsman reported. The robotic systems were reportedly so expensive to operate that they drove the owner into receivership.

Sky Park cost 5 million pounds (more than $10 million) before it opened in 2001. The system used electronic sensors to move cars to empty spaces using a system of elevators, turntables and similar moving equipment.

Drivers picking up cars could stick tickets in a scanning machine and get their vehicles back within three minutes.

The receiver says an overseas company has expressed interest in buying Sky Park and reopening it. That would be an expensive proposition since the machinery has been sitting idle for four years and probably needs extensive repairs, the newspaper said.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.