2008 Woodie Awards
Parking improvements, new dorms in works for PSU
Tonya Tomory
Issue date: 4/10/08 Section: Front Page
The Kansas Board of Regents has granted funding and permission for construction of new dorms and better parking on campus at PSU. Construction could start as early as August 2009.
"It's not necessarily to gain parking, but to ensure safety," said Paul Stewart, director of facilities planning.
Although plans are not finalized, improvements are scheduled to be done to parking lots on the core campus. These improvements include paving a majority of the parking lots on the main campus, expanding and paving the parking lot north of Grubbs Hall, and reworking and paving the existing parking lot around the Physical Plant by adding lighting, drainage and curbs.
"The whole reason we're doing this is to improve and increase student parking," Stewart said.
Wesley Moore, sophomore in business, says no matter how much parking is added, there will always be a problem with the increase in enrollment each semester.
"It's a lost cause," Moore said. "There will never be enough."
Closing Lindburg Street and building a pedestrian plaza to link the southern dorm complex with the Oval is a possibility as well. Stewart says if this happens, the one-way streets would be reconfigured and there would be more parking available along Lindburg Street and in front of the proposed new Student Health Center.
Ashley Bradley, senior in mechanical and plastics engineering technology, says that parking on campus right now is ridiculous.
"(Increased parking) is definitely needed," Bradley said. "To be honest, I can ride my bike from my house on Seventh Street and make it to class before I would if I drove here and had to walk."
Closing Joplin Street and building a pedestrian plaza in front of Carnie Smith Stadium is in the works, as well. But Stewart says that permission for this project needs to be granted by the city of Pittsburg as well as the state of Kansas.
Total costs for pedestrian improvements and parking are estimated at $4 million.
"It's not necessarily to gain parking, but to ensure safety," said Paul Stewart, director of facilities planning.
Although plans are not finalized, improvements are scheduled to be done to parking lots on the core campus. These improvements include paving a majority of the parking lots on the main campus, expanding and paving the parking lot north of Grubbs Hall, and reworking and paving the existing parking lot around the Physical Plant by adding lighting, drainage and curbs.
"The whole reason we're doing this is to improve and increase student parking," Stewart said.
Wesley Moore, sophomore in business, says no matter how much parking is added, there will always be a problem with the increase in enrollment each semester.
"It's a lost cause," Moore said. "There will never be enough."
Closing Lindburg Street and building a pedestrian plaza to link the southern dorm complex with the Oval is a possibility as well. Stewart says if this happens, the one-way streets would be reconfigured and there would be more parking available along Lindburg Street and in front of the proposed new Student Health Center.
Ashley Bradley, senior in mechanical and plastics engineering technology, says that parking on campus right now is ridiculous.
"(Increased parking) is definitely needed," Bradley said. "To be honest, I can ride my bike from my house on Seventh Street and make it to class before I would if I drove here and had to walk."
Closing Joplin Street and building a pedestrian plaza in front of Carnie Smith Stadium is in the works, as well. But Stewart says that permission for this project needs to be granted by the city of Pittsburg as well as the state of Kansas.
Total costs for pedestrian improvements and parking are estimated at $4 million.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Tom Earp
posted 4/10/08 @ 3:59 PM CST
First off, I never understood why PSU would close Dorms space down.
Second, I never understood blocking off the street running past the Student Center. (Continued…)
Jon Anderson
posted 4/11/08 @ 3:11 PM CST
As a former resident, Resident Assistant, and Assistant Hall Director I am very happy to see that they are making improvements to the University dorms, and adding new ones. (Continued…)
Ron Rice
posted 4/14/08 @ 10:19 AM CST
I was a resident and Resident Assistant for 4 years, as well as a member and Exec for Residence Hall Assembly. I was sent to regional and national conferences where many times we stayed on campus at these schools. (Continued…)
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