College seeks parking alternatives
Crystal Carpenito
Issue date: 9/12/06 Section: News
Nearly a year after it was taken, KCC faculty plans on presenting a parking survey to the legislature that could result in a new parking structure on campus within the biennium. The survey conducted and taken by KCC students in Fall 2005 concluded most were unhappy with the current parking situation on campus, and the best resolution would be to build new parking.
After finalizing the survey it was submitted to KCC officials who planned on scheduling a hearing for those students to testify at the legislature. At the time, the semester was near closure and there was not enough time for a hearing. This semester, Interim Chancellor of KCC, Leon Richards, and English 209 professor Mark Lawhorn plan on presenting the report to the legislature
If the UH Board of Regents and State legislature determine that KCC requires a parking structure, then a CIP (Capital Improvement Projects) request for state funding will need to be granted before construction may begin. KCC administrative services have already submitted an initial CIP request through the Universities Office of Capital Improvements for a new structure. It was not included in the 2007-2009 Biennium Budget forwarded to the Board of Regents. If and when the CIP is approved, the construction could take place on a vacant space of land under the Olopa building, next to the childcare center.
Though such a parking structure would help to minimize the recurring parking congestion on campus, it could also result in some type of parking fee for KCC students and faculty. A new parking structure requires legislative funds, which the school would eventually have to pay back by implementing a parking fee. Some students were pleased with the idea of more parking on campus even if it meant they would have to pay for it.
"It would be worth paying a small fee instead of driving circles for half an hour," said ASKCC Public Relations Officer Bali Fergusson.
Other students disliked the idea of paying to park. If KCC student, Vietduc Andy Tran, has to pay for parking then he would rather the school not build a structure at all.
After finalizing the survey it was submitted to KCC officials who planned on scheduling a hearing for those students to testify at the legislature. At the time, the semester was near closure and there was not enough time for a hearing. This semester, Interim Chancellor of KCC, Leon Richards, and English 209 professor Mark Lawhorn plan on presenting the report to the legislature
If the UH Board of Regents and State legislature determine that KCC requires a parking structure, then a CIP (Capital Improvement Projects) request for state funding will need to be granted before construction may begin. KCC administrative services have already submitted an initial CIP request through the Universities Office of Capital Improvements for a new structure. It was not included in the 2007-2009 Biennium Budget forwarded to the Board of Regents. If and when the CIP is approved, the construction could take place on a vacant space of land under the Olopa building, next to the childcare center.
Though such a parking structure would help to minimize the recurring parking congestion on campus, it could also result in some type of parking fee for KCC students and faculty. A new parking structure requires legislative funds, which the school would eventually have to pay back by implementing a parking fee. Some students were pleased with the idea of more parking on campus even if it meant they would have to pay for it.
"It would be worth paying a small fee instead of driving circles for half an hour," said ASKCC Public Relations Officer Bali Fergusson.
Other students disliked the idea of paying to park. If KCC student, Vietduc Andy Tran, has to pay for parking then he would rather the school not build a structure at all.
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