Closure of Lot C worsens student parking; new parking structure to add 1,300 spots
El Camino students make their way in and out of parking Lot H. Available parking spaces get filled in the mornings and make it hard for students to find parking around campus. Photo credit: Jorge Villa
The chain link fence is up, and the all too familiar sight of construction on campus once again creates an inconvenience for students and faculty.
Demolition of the old Technical Arts and Shops Buildings has resulted in the creation of parking delays and the loss of 162 parking spots in Lot C.
The loss of faculty spots in Lot C were replaced mostly in Lot H and Lot L, which in result took over 100 parking spots away from students.
With the start of the fall semester underway the Technical Arts and Shops Buildings are being torn down and will be rebuilt as a new parking structure for Lot C and student services building.
“It’s a two-year project, there is never going to be a good time,” Tom Brown, facilities director, said in regards to the timing of the project.
It will take six-weeks to complete the demolition of the buildings. Currently construction workers are removing hazardous materials, digging up utilities and disconnecting electricity to the building, Brown said.
Once completed a new parking structure will take the place of the old Technical Arts Building and a new Student Services Center will be in place of the old Shops Building.
According to Brown’s parking count report from April 2015 there are 4,676 parking spots. Of those spots 3,705 belong to students, 725 belong to faculty and 96 are paid reserved spots for faulty and administrators. When the new parking structure is completed the campus will gain 1,300 parking spots.
The Facilities Department has placed signs around the campus to notify students and staff in advance of the detours.
“We’re trying to be mindful, but we’re limited for what we can do,” Brown said.
Along with the construction of Lot C and new Student Services Center, plans are in place to start seismic retrofitting on Lot F later this year.
“The lot was built in the 60s and we’re bringing it up to current code. Hoping to get the bulk of the work done the first six-weeks of next semester,” Brown said.
The retrofitting process will be done in sections, so it shouldn’t effect parking, he added.
“Things are getting better and students will benefit,” Brown said. As for now “plan ahead, get here accordingly,” Brown added.
