Expansion creates parking hassle

Although students have always complained about bad parking and traffic on campus construction is making it more difficult for the university to accommodate all student drivers.

With construction in process for Coleman Library, the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication, School of Business and Industry, School of Allied Health Sciences, and a new parking lot adjacent to Truth Hall, many roads and parking areas have been closed.

Construction of these buildings was approved in 1995 as part of the university’s Master Plan.

Sam Houston, director of facility planning and construction, said the massive job will take more than a year.

“There’s no way construction could have been completed in three months (during the summer) due to the magnitude of the project,” Houston said.

He said the construction was done in accordance with the Master Plan which extends over a 5-year period.

Gamble Street between Wahnish Way and Orr Drive has been closed permanently and will be used as a future pedestrian walkway, which is also part of the Master Plan.

“We have identified a routing system for students to go around the construction,” said Houston.

Paved walkways have been added to help students get from General Classroom to the GOC building.

Although there are more students with cars than last year, construction has decreased the number of parking spaces.

The difficulty of finding a parking space has led some students to park illegally.

“I have to go all the way around campus,” said Quinnie Wheatley, 18, a sophomore political science student from Tallahassee. “I just take the risk (of getting caught),” she said.

John Kirby, director of Business, Financial/Auxiliary Services, and head of the Parking Information Center, said students will find available spaces on the grass and west side of Bragg Stadium near Perry Street.

“I’m seeing maximum usage of the parking garage by students. However, I’d like to see greater usage of available parking at Bragg Stadium,” Kirby said. “You can always find spaces at Bragg Stadium. Students often use the north, south, and east sides of the stadium.”

Houston said construction on the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication and Coleman Library should be completed in about 15 months.