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Parking relief measures suggested
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Parking concerns continue to weigh on the minds of students as the fall semester begins. Long lines at the permit office and waiting for parking in heavily used lots seem to be the order of the day.
This semester marks the first time that permits have been made available on-line. With a credit card, students can log on to BroncoWeb via the Boise State home page and click on the Parking-Transportation link to purchase permits.
As of the first day of classes, 600 permits had been purchased on-line according to Bob Siebolt, Director of Campus Safety.
“We’re still seeing lines at the main office,” Siebolt said.
Parking permits are also being sold in the Brink room of the Student Union in conjunction with Student ID pictures and orientation in an effort to reduce lines.
About 5,000 general permits are sold every year, while 2,664 spaces are available to general permit holders. The difference is based on the assumption that all students are not on campus at the same time. An additional 40 spaces have been generated in the Towers lot and another 60 at the stadium.
The busiest lot is near the Towers and Morrison Center. “It is the first to fill, usually around 8:15 to 8:30,” said Siebolt.
Parking is readily available at the stadium and across the street in lots on Denver and Grant streets.
A Bronco Shuttle system, which runs down University Drive every eight minutes, was designed to transport students from the outlying lots to the main buildings has been in use since 1992.
Traffic Control Supervisor Charles Wilson said, “The shuttle is definitely underutilized. People don’t realize that the best place to park is at the stadium and use the shuttle.”
“We have even offered prizes for riding it,” said Siebolt, “I don’t know why students don’t use it.”
A new parking structure is slated to begin construction next summer with completion planned by summer, 2003. This explains the increase in this year’s parking fees.
“All fee increases are suggested by a student and administration committee,” said Siebolt. “Permit fees were raised across the board, not just general.”
The proposed parking garage will differ from the existing one in that it will be exclusively permit holder parking. At present, permit holders must share access to the garage with hourly parking.
Sales of special permits in the garage pay the finance payment on the garage. The payment comes to $250,000 per year, and does not include maintenance or repair costs.
“The university receives no state funding for parking control or development,” said Siebolt, “Fees have to cover the costs.”
Siebolt suggests that the parking structure is visible evidence that the university is addressing student parking concerns.
“We are dedicated to building as many structures as needed,” Siebolt said.
Matt Neznanski
