A new parking lot is scheduled to open Monday on Greene Avenue across from the GrandMarc apartments. The parking lot will have 51 parking spaces available to anyone with a TCU parking sticker, said Lisa Albert, assistant director of communication. \
“It is a general lot that is geared toward commuters,” Albert said. “But faculty, staff and other students with permits will be able to park in the lot.”
Junior communication major Victoria Stone lives off-campus and said she is constantly late for class because she can never find a parking spot. She said she thinks parking is a major issue on campus, but is glad the school has decided to add a lot, especially one that is near the bookstore.
“Even when I leave my house 20 minutes early, I can never find a spot near my class,” Stone said. “And when I need to go to the bookstore, I can’t find a spot because of the construction. Hopefully the addition of new spots will help out a lot.”
Though the lot is located near the bookstore, Harold Leeman, physical plant associate director, said it is not designated for a specific building.
“It’s not a lot reserved for the bookstore, GrandMarc or anything else,” Leeman said. “It is a general TCU parking lot.”
While students like Stone said they are happy with the addition of the lot, not all students think it will make much of a difference with the parking situation on campus. Junior finance major Jarrod Cox said the school could pursue a better solution.
“With all of the new construction of buildings on campus, I don’t understand why we don’t build a parking garage,” Cox said. “If smaller schools like SMU can have a parking garage, why can’t we?”
Though Cox said he would like to see a parking garage built, he said, the new parking lot will bring some relief to the campus.
“Even though it’s not a parking garage, I’m glad they’ve added spots,” Cox said. “I guess it’s better to have a little extra space than none at all.”
Leeman said the lot is currently under construction and is sure it will be available next week.
“We’re going to get the lot striped and put up light poles on Saturday,” Leeman said. “Hopefully we’ll be able to open the lot on Sept. 17.
