highj4@lopers.unk.edu
UNK is planning to build a 200-car parking garage in place of Lot 10, where the Otto C. Olsen Building once stood. This addition is meant to remedy the over 100 students who were on the waitlist for residential parking passes.
This type of pass sold out last fall within the first week of classes starting.
“Having a parking garage on a college campus can provide a more secure environment for people to park their cars,” said Dusty Rhodes, vice president of UNK Parking. “It will also provide space for a larger number of cars than is available in on-street parking or the current lots.”
Constructing a new parking garage on campus will benefit faculty, staff, students and university guests.
The parking garage will provide a convenient and efficient way for people to access the campus. The garage will be divided into sections for faculty and staff, allowing them to quickly and easily access their vehicles. The garage will also be designed with a variety of amenities, such as electric vehicle charging stations, bike racks and other features to make parking more comfortable.
“The thing that I think students will be most excited about is that we will be building a Starbucks inside the parking garage as well,” Rhodes said. “We believe this will be a hot commodity for commuters who would like to grab a cup of coffee before they go to class.”
It is still unclear as to exactly how much these parking garage passes are going to cost for students, but it is looking like it will be the most expensive place to park in all of campus. The rate as of now is set at $1,200 per semester.
However, this garage will provide a great source of income for the college, as students will be willing to pay higher fees to park in a safe and convenient location.
“I would definitely pay a little more for the parking garage,” said Sandy Cheeks, a UNK freshman. “I’m mostly in it for Starbucks, though.”
The construction of this parking garage will begin during the last week of May, and the anticipated completion date is spring 2024.
UNK officials hope the parking garage will show the college’s commitment to the comfort and safety of its students and faculty.
