Parking structure opening delayed

The newly constructed, dual-story parking st ructure that was designed to lessen lot congestion on Cal State Long Beach is still empty; it has been declared geologically unsafe, said Scott Charmack, vice president of physical planning and facilities management.

An estimted $4 million dollars is needed to re-retrofit the parking structure, and Charmack said he does not foresee it will open in time for the beginning of the spring semester.

The California State University parking fund will foot the $4 million repair bill.

While students struggle for parking spaces during the first few weeks of the fall semester, the situation with the new parking structure remains in a three-month design phase, with construction expected to begin thereafter.

A structural analysis is being consi dered by a seismic review board, consisting of engineers from an independent Los Angeles firm.

The board's findings indicate the campus structure is not built to code, according to reports issued by 1994 geological standards, which include findings concluded after the January earthquake in Northridge.

Both CSULB's and Cal State Northridge's parking structures were designed and constructed under a l99l code.

The Northridge quake facilitated a review of the code's standards, since CSUN's p arking structure did not withstand the quake's pressure.

The rennovation is guaranteed to include those suggestions outlined in the 1994 code, Charmack said, and its planning will go "well beyond the '94 code."

Charmack said the structure will not open until it is completely safe for access and use.

Though the delay effects many, Charmack said that his department "understands the impact" and assures that the problem will be rectified as soon as possible.

Charmack said his office is t aking a "very conservative approach" to the problem and reports that construction will begin immediately after the three-month design phase is complete.