UNCW Parking Deck Plans Postponed
10/5/2005 3:13:25 PM
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Wilmington, N.C. - Because of the escalating cost of construction and the subsequent impact on parking fees, University of North Carolina Wilmington has postponed plans for a new parking deck. UNCW has been exploring different options to meet the need for additional parking including the pending purchases of new property. These properties have the potential to create nearly 600 parking spaces, virtually the same number that would have been provided by the deck which was slated for completion in 2007, according to Sharon Boyd, associate vice chancellor of business services.
With a deck priced at more than $12 million, the cost of a parking permit was expected to rise by approximately $120 per year. The purchase of land for more off-campus parking is expected to cost significantly less resulting in significantly lower increases in parking permit costs. Any increases in parking permit costs will not take effect until the 2006 academic year.
Parking spaces already lost to construction coupled with plans to site the new nursing building on Lot T, one of the largest parking lots on campus, left the university with a sudden need for approximately 600 commuter student parking spaces. Plans to meet this need included a deck on campus and/or off-campus parking lots.
Now that land located in close proximity to campus has become available, the university’s objective to provide additional parking as economically as possible can be realized. While the university is currently in the due diligence phase of the purchase, the locations cannot yet be disclosed. However, this solution mitigates steeply rising construction costs while providing some financial relief to students and employees.
Convenient off-campus parking with express shuttle service will continue to be priced at a lower rate than prime on-campus parking. “The security and convenience of our students and adequate, reliable shuttle services will be of paramount importance,” says Boyd.
For more information, please contact Sharon Boyd at 910/962.3772.
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