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news
Parking
relief still a ways off
By Phil Witte
On-line Forty-Niner
Students coming
to campus on a Tuesday or Thursday afternoon during the first
week of the last semester probably had a difficult time finding
a parking space.
That is probably because there were not any available, according
to a presentation made by Parking and Transportation Services
Senior Tom Bass to the Associated Students Inc. Senate Wednesday
afternoon.
Bass was on hand to outline plans to alleviate the parking
strain on a campus bulging at the seams with students.
"Fall 2001 created a major problem for us," Bass
said. "We were overwhelmed. The demand for parking exceeded
our capacity."
The student head count at Cal State Long Beach for Fall 2001
was 33,259 an increase of 2,341 from the previous yeare, a
gain of 7.6 percent. The figure also represented a 20 percent
increase from Fall 1997.
"In that time, we added no new parking," Bass said.
To show that problem was not just an issue the first week
of school, Bass presented data that showed that the parking
lots were nearly full on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon during
the seventh week of school.
"Interesting to note, on Fridays, we have plenty of parking,"
he said.
The good news is that relief is on the way, with a new 2,300-space
parking structure in the advanced planning stages. The bad
news is that the structure, if approved, would not even begin
until 2004-2005.
With a new structure years away, parking services is focusing
on short term goals to alleviate the crunch. These include
adding more park and ride programs, adding new spaces at the
Veteran's Hospital, and encouraging alternative transportation
methods.
"Park and ride programs have been successful in the past,"
Bass said. "One thing we've accomplished is an analysis
of where our students are coming from."
Lakewood, with 667 students, and Huntington Beach, with 1,341,
have been identified as two potential cities for park and
ride lots. With 4,000 parking spaces, Veteran's Stadium on
Clark Avenue is a potential spot in Lakewood.
Another potential spot is the Long Beach Marina, which was
used during the construction of the first parking structure.
Adding spaces at the Veteran's Hospital, which is adjacent
to the campus, has proven more difficult.
"They have extra spaces, and we've asked to use them,"
Bass said. "Unfortunately, it's very difficult to get
an answer, partly because of the bureaucracy they have to
go through."
Bass added that he and CSULB President Robert Maxson recently
met with the regional directors, but have yet to hear an answer.
"We also need
to promote alternate transportation and lessen dependence
on single occupant vehicles," Bass said. "Active
carpool program, and we plan to promote that. It's an excellent
way to increase efficiency."
In fielding questions, Bass addressed the prospects of technology
that would allow students to know if there were any spaces
available when entering a lot.
"The equipment is not reliable yet to keep track of all
lots, but we expect that in the future," he said. "In
preparation, data lines have been laid in all the lots."
The long-term goal is to add a net of 1,000 new spaces, which
would most likely come with a new parking structure. If approved,
the project would likely cost an estimated $40 million.
The most promosing
spot, Bass said, is within Lot 11, which runs along Palo Verde
Ave. The six-story building would provide 2,300 spaces, but
would displace 1,000 existing spaces during its construction.
Also at the meeting, the Senate approved both the A.S.I. budget
and the University Student Union operating budget for next
year.
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