2008 Woodie Awards
New Parking Deck Planned
Lauren Lampe Recognizing that parking at Montclair State University is a problem that needs attentio
Issue date: 12/2/04 Section: News
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Recognizing that parking at Montclair State University is a problem that needs attention, the University is presently in the early stages of developing plans for a new parking deck, said Doug Cooper, Director of Architectural and Engineering Services.
It is projected to take about 18 months to complete the structure and will have an estimated total construction cost of $25 to 27 million. Project planners are currently doing a thorough investigation of the campus before deciding on the definitive location of the parking deck. At the moment, the preferred site location is the hill behind the overnight and commuter parking spots near Yogi Berra Stadium, said Doug Cooper.
Although, the deck design is in the preliminary stages it will most likely consist of "Spanish mission-style architecture similar to the other structures on campus," said Doug Cooper.
According to Elaine Cooper, Director of Transportation and Parking Services, the cost for parking in the garage will not be decided until the construction expenses are determined.
Doug Cooper said that the NJ Transit deck has not been used to its fullest capacity as of right now.
The winter months and inclement weather will bring increased usage of the NJ TRANSIT garage by students and commuters from the surrounding area because of its covered deck and station feature, said Doug Cooper.
This furthers the need for the University to have its own parking structure on the campus core.
"We have been making every effort to encourage students to park in the NJ Transit garage. We have worked with NJ Transit to provide the MSU community with a 30 percent discount on pre-paid parking, we have established an express shuttle route to and from that garage to the campus core, and we have worked with NJ Transit to create awareness of the parking option through multi-media communications," said Elaine Cooper.
There is a need for a new parking deck because "prime real estate is taken up with parking spaces and therefore structured parking is the way to go," said Doug Cooper.
The University has made several advances to make the campus more pedestrian friendly and the parking garage will "capitalize on the new shuttle bus system and reduce the number of vehicles competing with pedestrians," said Doug Cooper.
"I think the new parking deck will be an improvement. However, the students will be the ones to pay for it in the end," said Mike Rummel," undeclared freshman.
It is projected to take about 18 months to complete the structure and will have an estimated total construction cost of $25 to 27 million. Project planners are currently doing a thorough investigation of the campus before deciding on the definitive location of the parking deck. At the moment, the preferred site location is the hill behind the overnight and commuter parking spots near Yogi Berra Stadium, said Doug Cooper.
Although, the deck design is in the preliminary stages it will most likely consist of "Spanish mission-style architecture similar to the other structures on campus," said Doug Cooper.
According to Elaine Cooper, Director of Transportation and Parking Services, the cost for parking in the garage will not be decided until the construction expenses are determined.
Doug Cooper said that the NJ Transit deck has not been used to its fullest capacity as of right now.
The winter months and inclement weather will bring increased usage of the NJ TRANSIT garage by students and commuters from the surrounding area because of its covered deck and station feature, said Doug Cooper.
This furthers the need for the University to have its own parking structure on the campus core.
"We have been making every effort to encourage students to park in the NJ Transit garage. We have worked with NJ Transit to provide the MSU community with a 30 percent discount on pre-paid parking, we have established an express shuttle route to and from that garage to the campus core, and we have worked with NJ Transit to create awareness of the parking option through multi-media communications," said Elaine Cooper.
There is a need for a new parking deck because "prime real estate is taken up with parking spaces and therefore structured parking is the way to go," said Doug Cooper.
The University has made several advances to make the campus more pedestrian friendly and the parking garage will "capitalize on the new shuttle bus system and reduce the number of vehicles competing with pedestrians," said Doug Cooper.
"I think the new parking deck will be an improvement. However, the students will be the ones to pay for it in the end," said Mike Rummel," undeclared freshman.