Parking Issues? Soon to be Over
As enrollment has increased this past academic year, parking spots have become more limited leaving many students hoping for a resolution. Benedictine has recently announced that a parking garage is set to be built. Construction is set to begin this May w
Samantha Jones
Issue date: 5/4/10 Section: News
Parking has become a concern for many students as enrollment has continued to grow. This year, BU is installing a parking garage to solve this problem.
"On May 24, we will begin the early utility pack where we will we work on relocating the underground utilities to get ahead of the curve," said Project Director, Chad Treisch.
The actual construction is scheduled to begin on July 1. The new parking garage will be located north of Ondrak and south of Kindlon, in the Kindlon west parking lot.
"Right now, we are in the design and development stage," said Treisch. "Things are still rapidly changing. We are planning to have the parking garage and two planned surf lots that will hold 1,428 total vehicles of all sizes."
This addition will give BU an increase of about 396 new parking spots.
"The parking garage was in the University's plan last year, but given the downfall in the economy and uncertainty for this year, we decided to re-evaluate the addition this year," said Executive Director, Mercy Robb. "After the parking problem in the fall and the increase in enrollment the University has experienced, we realized that it is a need."
The construction team has not experienced any problems with permits or the approval of students and faculty. Student Senate has been working to collect students' concerns during their office hours.
"The students' feedback has helped shape this construction," said Associate Vice President of Student Life, Marco Masini.
Many environmental points have been addressed as the garage is being built. The project designers are working under credits given by Leadership in Energy and Environment Design, also known as LEAD, to create as many benefits in the addition as possible.
"We are gaining green points in not using as much asphalt space, having cars park on smaller spaces, using energy efficient lighting, low admitting sealants and natural lighting that may use solar power to some extent," said Treisch.
The project designers are working to find more creative methods to be energy efficient, such as using recycled products and making the garage a smoke-free facility.
The parking garage will have four floors on one side and three-and-a-half floors on the other. There will be two elevators, two stair towers, ramps and handicap accessibility. However, the design aspect is constantly changing.
"The number of spaces was 417 yesterday, but it has grown to 428 in the past 24 hours," said Treisch.
Masini said, "How parking permits will be handled has not been decided either."
Next year, parking will be affected to some degree while the garage is being completed.
"Worst case, we will lose 146 spots, and best case, we will only lose 32 spaces this fall," Treish explained.
The garage is expected to be completed in January 2011, before the start of the spring semester.
"On May 24, we will begin the early utility pack where we will we work on relocating the underground utilities to get ahead of the curve," said Project Director, Chad Treisch.
The actual construction is scheduled to begin on July 1. The new parking garage will be located north of Ondrak and south of Kindlon, in the Kindlon west parking lot.
"Right now, we are in the design and development stage," said Treisch. "Things are still rapidly changing. We are planning to have the parking garage and two planned surf lots that will hold 1,428 total vehicles of all sizes."
This addition will give BU an increase of about 396 new parking spots.
"The parking garage was in the University's plan last year, but given the downfall in the economy and uncertainty for this year, we decided to re-evaluate the addition this year," said Executive Director, Mercy Robb. "After the parking problem in the fall and the increase in enrollment the University has experienced, we realized that it is a need."
The construction team has not experienced any problems with permits or the approval of students and faculty. Student Senate has been working to collect students' concerns during their office hours.
"The students' feedback has helped shape this construction," said Associate Vice President of Student Life, Marco Masini.
Many environmental points have been addressed as the garage is being built. The project designers are working under credits given by Leadership in Energy and Environment Design, also known as LEAD, to create as many benefits in the addition as possible.
"We are gaining green points in not using as much asphalt space, having cars park on smaller spaces, using energy efficient lighting, low admitting sealants and natural lighting that may use solar power to some extent," said Treisch.
The project designers are working to find more creative methods to be energy efficient, such as using recycled products and making the garage a smoke-free facility.
The parking garage will have four floors on one side and three-and-a-half floors on the other. There will be two elevators, two stair towers, ramps and handicap accessibility. However, the design aspect is constantly changing.
"The number of spaces was 417 yesterday, but it has grown to 428 in the past 24 hours," said Treisch.
Masini said, "How parking permits will be handled has not been decided either."
Next year, parking will be affected to some degree while the garage is being completed.
"Worst case, we will lose 146 spots, and best case, we will only lose 32 spaces this fall," Treish explained.
The garage is expected to be completed in January 2011, before the start of the spring semester.