Parking department looks toward new terrace near Old Main Hil
A new parking terrace is coming close to reality for Utah State University.
Lisa Leishman, director of USU Parking and Transportation Services, said USU Housing and Food Services will be establishing a living/learning community at the old Heating Plant location, below Old Main Hill. Parking and Transportation Services decided to join with Housing to designate a new parking area.
“The parking at the school is ridiculous, it’s absolutely horrible. There’s no where to park,” said Josh Cook, a senior studying public relations.
Cook said buses are doing the best job they possibly can, but parking isn’t as prolific as it could be.
Cook bought a parking pass last year, but not this year, because of the lack of parking spaces even with his permit.
Danny Adams, an undecided freshman, said he would like parking closer to campus.
The 2003 parking and transportation report included a survey showing that 80 percent of students believe parking issues were either important or very important. After the survey results Parking and Transportation Services joined Housing to plan a 600-stall parking structure, which could be finished as soon as 2006. Leishman said the plan for a new terrace was already in progress, but wasn’t going to be constructed until around 2007.
Leishman said the terrace will cost an approximate $7.5 million, and will be self-funded from parking permit users and fees. Residents will have the opportunity to park at the terrace along with commuters. Parking passes will be a premium price because of a lack of funds for the terrace.
In the past year the new Aggie Shuttle south campus route was developed. Though the route has had less riders than anticipated, it was helpful enough to riders that they asked for the route to continue.
Clay Olsen, an undeclared freshman, said he lives close by campus and doesn’t really use the parking available or the shuttles.
USU Parking and Transportation Services received a grant from the state of Utah to replace two older buses. The buses were replaced with larger and compressed natural gas fueled buses. The grant paid an estimated $28,500 per bus. The report showed the new buses would greatly improve the bus routes efficiency, leaving no need to fuel in the middle of bus routes.
The department helped people in need during the holiday season this past year. With the Logan Transit District, the Aggie Shuttles participated in Sub for Santa. The result of that help is estimated at $4,500 in food, new clothes, toys and cash.
The only failure Leishman could list is the failing communications of where the department is planning on going in the next five to 10 years.
“We are working vigorously on a business plan, to strategize at where we’re going to go, at how we’re going to get there, and then better educate the campus community,” Leishman said.
-amysueh@cc.usu.edu
(Photo by Scott Davis)