Campus parking, housing strained
With construction overtaking campus, the University is holding its breath until new residence halls and parking structures are available to accomodate a growing number of students
Sharon Leff, Krysten Appelbaum
News | 8/26/07
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Parking rules change
Residents and commuters can no longer park in any free space they find.
Lots and garages across campus have been designated for commuters or residents only.
Parking and transportation services created these policies in hopes of decreasing congestion during peak parking hours, which are from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Union and Glen Garages now have designated areas for faculty and staff, and the remainder is for commuters only.
The Towsontown Garage is primarily commuter parking, but will have faculty and staff on the lower level, about 70 spaces for visitors, and until the garage expansion is complete, a portion is for residents. The expansion is scheduled for completion by the end of the year and will produce about 500 spaces, but when Lot 5 behind Linthicum Hall closes, campus will only net gain between 200-250 spaces, according to Pam Mooney, director of parking and transportation services.
Lot 7 permits will be allowed in Lot 7a and in commuter areas of the garage until the expansion opens. Then an area of the expansion will be devoted to students with Lot 7 permits. Commuters who can't find a spot in any of the garages will need to park in the Towson Center.
Lots located closest to residence halls, 18, 22, and 26, will only be for residents, and their permits are lot specific.
Mooney said residents who did not get a residential parking permit can park at the Towson Center, but will have to move their cars when there are weekend sporting events.
"If you're up in [the Towson Center] you'll have to have your vehicle removed for those Saturdays [when there are games,]" Mooney said.
She said it is only a small portion of residents who are being pushed to the Towson Center.
"[Commuters are] happy they're going to have more spaces on the main campus and the other side is you have residents who aren't happy about it," Mooney said.
She said resident students tend to park their cars on campus and then not move them for weeks at time, making it harder for commuters to find spots in the garages. In addition, special events used to displace commuters.
Residents and commuters can no longer park in any free space they find.
Lots and garages across campus have been designated for commuters or residents only.
Parking and transportation services created these policies in hopes of decreasing congestion during peak parking hours, which are from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Union and Glen Garages now have designated areas for faculty and staff, and the remainder is for commuters only.
The Towsontown Garage is primarily commuter parking, but will have faculty and staff on the lower level, about 70 spaces for visitors, and until the garage expansion is complete, a portion is for residents. The expansion is scheduled for completion by the end of the year and will produce about 500 spaces, but when Lot 5 behind Linthicum Hall closes, campus will only net gain between 200-250 spaces, according to Pam Mooney, director of parking and transportation services.
Lot 7 permits will be allowed in Lot 7a and in commuter areas of the garage until the expansion opens. Then an area of the expansion will be devoted to students with Lot 7 permits. Commuters who can't find a spot in any of the garages will need to park in the Towson Center.
Lots located closest to residence halls, 18, 22, and 26, will only be for residents, and their permits are lot specific.
Mooney said residents who did not get a residential parking permit can park at the Towson Center, but will have to move their cars when there are weekend sporting events.
"If you're up in [the Towson Center] you'll have to have your vehicle removed for those Saturdays [when there are games,]" Mooney said.
She said it is only a small portion of residents who are being pushed to the Towson Center.
"[Commuters are] happy they're going to have more spaces on the main campus and the other side is you have residents who aren't happy about it," Mooney said.
She said resident students tend to park their cars on campus and then not move them for weeks at time, making it harder for commuters to find spots in the garages. In addition, special events used to displace commuters.
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