The closing of several surface lots on the east side of City Campus has some University of Nebraska-Lincoln students struggling to find a parking spot.
The parking lot closings include the Abel/Sandoz residence halls' surface lot, portions of the Beadle Center south parking lot, the 18th Street surface lot between Q and R streets, and both the 19th and Q streets lot and 19th and R streets lot.
"The loss of the parking spaces presents numerous challenges similar to those faced in the 2004 parking lot closing on the north side of campus," said Dan Carpenter in an e-mail. He's the director of Parking and Transit Services at UNL.
"However, our solution is reorganizing smaller parking areas to accommodate displaced parking for residents and consolidation faculty (and) staff users into larger underutilized parking areas and selling student commuter permits in the Stadium Drive parking garage," he said
Despite parking service's attempt to free up space, students still have trouble securing a parking stall.
"I ended up paying for a permit in the 14th and Avery garage because that was all that was left," said Sarah Wilson, a sophomore marketing-business administration major.
All of the surface lots on the interior of City Campus are full; however, a few spaces in the 14th and Avery garage are still available, Carpenter said. Also, many permits remain obtainable for perimeter parking lots north of campus and along Vine Street.
"(Parking) is pretty crowded and just as expensive as it was last year," said Cassy Davidson, a junior business administration major.
"It's a little nerve-racking trying to fight for a spot you paid so much money for," she said.
The battle for a vacant stall near a student's residence hall is hard-won.
"More parking is definitely needed, but you know, that's the problem. I don't know where you could put more parking," said Kyle McClellen, a freshman education and human sciences major.
Two construction projects contribute to the loss of lot space. A roadway project running along Vine and P streets ousted parking on the 19th Street surface lot. The second project, a parking garage on 19th and Vine streets, is responsible for the closure of the Abel/Sandoz lot.
However, the future parking garage may solve some of student parking problems.
Construction began Aug. 24 and is planned for completion on Aug. 15, 2010, just in time for the fall semester.
"The 19th (and) Vine streets garage is programmed for 1,040 spaces within the structure and another 60 spaces in a surface parking lot north of the building, which replaces the nearly 1,000 spaces lost due to construction since 2006," Carpenter said.
Not only will students benefit from future parking expansion, but faculty and staff can also expect new parking accommodations once the Whittier building renovation is finished. Parking services plans to construct a surface lot for faculty and staff just south of the under-construction building.
While students wait for more parking options, they must continue circling lots for a spot.
"I recommend that students give themselves plenty of time to access campus," Carpenter said. "Also, students should call our offices when they have difficulty finding parking as we adjust parking areas (to) fit demand and identify underutilized parking areas."
For updated parking maps and other information, visit parking.unl.edu.
courtneypitts@dailynebraskan.com
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