Students will be happy
to hear that additional parking is in the future,as planning is underway
to tame "the hill."
"The hill," as it is known to some, sits adjacent to the Fine
and Performing Arts Building, near the GE Building. It’s in the stages
of being transformed from an unpaved, muddy, rock-filled
The parking lot will be similar to the GE Building parking lot, in that it will be leveled to prevent flooding from one parking lot into the next, and it will be equipped with lighting as well as signs to help direct traffic.
The plans got started nearly six weeks ago after a student received a parking ticket after her car was seen in an undesignated parking spot next to the GE Building. The student complained that she was unable to park her small car in the makeshift parking lot since her car was too low for the rocks. The complaint was received by Velda Villarreal, Dean of Student Services, who turned it over to President Guzman. The need for a new parking lot was suggested, and the proposal is now with civil engineers.
"The reason that I got on this project is because when it rains the students have a heck of a time parking in there, especially with small cars. We need it for our students," said F.P. "Pat" Terrell, assistant to the President. Terrell said the possibility of a new parking lot could come as soon as next fall. However, the new parking lot will not come cheap, costing roughly $250,000 to complete.
The area behind the Fine and Performing Arts Building was the first option thought of by Facilities Management; however, they chose to go with the space closer to the GE Building. They realized that with increased enrollment, the area chosen was ideal for a new parking lot. The first area is still a possibility if additional parking is needed.
The focus of the project is to use this year’s money to try to complete the project by the fall of next year. On any given weekday, there are approximately 60 or more cars that can be found in the unpaved parking lot. Although students will not receive a ticket for parking on "the hill," there is the risk of possible damage to their car.
"It’s about time," said Jennifer Kijowski, a freshman majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies. "It’s hard to park. Sometimes people block you in, and this rock and mud gets all over my shoes."