2008 Woodie Awards
$2 million parking garage being discussed by admins
Student survey to be conducted before close of spring semester
By Amie Rodriguez
Rocket Contributor
Issue date: 4/11/08 Section: News
SRU administrators are discussing the possiblity of building a three-deck parking garage on campus that would cost almost $2 million and provide more than 200 additional spots for students, faculty and staff.
SRU President Robert Smith said the spaces in the three-deck, 210-spot structure would run about $45 a month for a 10-month lease. Smith estimated the cost of the garage to be at about $1.8 million.
"There had not been a lot of money researching, because we are still trying to get an idea of whether this is something the students and faculty want," he said.
Smith said that a campus-wide survey will be given to students and faculty members before the end of this semester to determine if there is enough support for the parking garage.
"The survey will determine who would be interested in leasing a parking space," Smith said. "We would need about 300 people.
If it is supported, the building process could happen anywhere from one to two years from now."
Because the parking garage is not a state requirement for universities, SRU must absorb the cost of the garage along with a partner, Smith said.
"So we looked to Slippery Rock Development Inc., who helped to do all the revitalization downtown," Smith said.
Slippery Rock Development Inc. began in 2002 after a group of individuals took an interest in the town of Slippery Rock and raised funding to help improve the look of downtown Slippery Rock.
As of right now there are approximately 3,900 total parking spots on campus.
"Of the 3,900 parking spots, there are about 1,200 identified as commuter and staff parking, 2,000 spots to residences, and 800 are open parking," Smith said.
The garage would allow students, faculty and staff the ability to have a spot as long as they are willing to pay for it, SRU Executive Director of Public Relations Rita Abent said.
The parking garage would be located by Old Thompson Field, next to Morrow Field House, said Herb Carlson, assistant vice president of construction and design.
SRU President Robert Smith said the spaces in the three-deck, 210-spot structure would run about $45 a month for a 10-month lease. Smith estimated the cost of the garage to be at about $1.8 million.
"There had not been a lot of money researching, because we are still trying to get an idea of whether this is something the students and faculty want," he said.
Smith said that a campus-wide survey will be given to students and faculty members before the end of this semester to determine if there is enough support for the parking garage.
"The survey will determine who would be interested in leasing a parking space," Smith said. "We would need about 300 people.
If it is supported, the building process could happen anywhere from one to two years from now."
Because the parking garage is not a state requirement for universities, SRU must absorb the cost of the garage along with a partner, Smith said.
"So we looked to Slippery Rock Development Inc., who helped to do all the revitalization downtown," Smith said.
Slippery Rock Development Inc. began in 2002 after a group of individuals took an interest in the town of Slippery Rock and raised funding to help improve the look of downtown Slippery Rock.
As of right now there are approximately 3,900 total parking spots on campus.
"Of the 3,900 parking spots, there are about 1,200 identified as commuter and staff parking, 2,000 spots to residences, and 800 are open parking," Smith said.
The garage would allow students, faculty and staff the ability to have a spot as long as they are willing to pay for it, SRU Executive Director of Public Relations Rita Abent said.
The parking garage would be located by Old Thompson Field, next to Morrow Field House, said Herb Carlson, assistant vice president of construction and design.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 6
Michael Chiappini
posted 4/11/08 @ 1:01 PM EST
Upon reading the newspaper as soon as it was delivered this morning, I was elated to find a front page article on the passing of the Green Fund referendum. (Continued…)
robert
posted 4/11/08 @ 2:43 PM EST
I thought it was funny that our 'leave it green' people will not support the parking garage unless it is erected somewhere that is already paved. I can only assume this is because they don't want to destroy the precious grass? If so, that is absolutely ridiculous. (Continued…)
michelle
posted 4/15/08 @ 12:59 PM EST
We don't need a parking garage. What we need to do is what all the other colleges do. Freshman aren't allowed cars at other colleges, and we should do the same. (Continued…)
E'milie
posted 4/17/08 @ 11:24 PM EST
It's about time that this college decided to build up instead of out. I've been saying for years that they need to have parking garages like many colleges have. (Continued…)
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