02
May
2013
|
10:58 AM
America/Chicago

A Letter on the Academic Building Parking Lottery

To UHD Faculty and Staff:

As was the case for FY2013, for FY2014 we will again be conducting an online lottery for reserved parking spaces in the Academic Building Garage. However, FY2014 will bring the added challenge of the Girard Street Garage construction project, as we tear down and rebuild what is generally referred to as the 'One Main Building Faculty/Staff Garage'.

A separate message will be sent out soon regarding replacement parking during this project. The UHD Parking and Transportation Committee, a broadly representative body comprised of faculty, staff and students, met last fall and throughout this spring to evaluate options. At this time we are working on getting contracts in place for our preferred lots.

Regarding the lottery, it is again critical for the benefit of the larger university community that these spaces be very heavily used during periods of peak demand. As such, there must be eligibility requirements for participating in the lottery.

Lottery Eligibility Requirements:

  • To be in the lottery a person must be on campus Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (or reasonably close to it). Usage of these reserved spaces will be carefully monitored. Those spaces found to be vacant on a regular basis during peak times will be revoked and reassigned to people on a waiting list.
  • Faculty wishing to partner with a colleague with a complementary teaching schedule (a M/W day schedule collaborating with a T/TH day schedule) and participate in the lottery may do so.
  • Those selected through the lottery must be willing to pay the $350 reserved parking space fee (per space, not per person for those thinking of partnering with somebody) with payment due or payroll deduction plan selected by August 31.
  • Anyone who has a reserved space will be expected to park in it rather than in any other lot.
  • 30+ service year employees must be willing to pay the $150 difference between the value of a reserved parking space ($350) and an unreserved parking space ($200).

Realizing that the lottery favors staff over faculty due to staff members generally working a more fixed schedule, and understanding that in FY2014 there will not be the offset of more daytime spaces available in an adjoining garage, for FY2014 two parking areas - the Naylor St. Garage (under Shea Building) and the Wood St. lot - will be programmed as 'Faculty Only' lots. The only exception will be for full-time staff members who work in the Shea Building, as they will still be provided access to the Naylor St. Garage.

Also, in order to ensure we get maximum usage of our limited in-close parking spaces, the reserved spaces in the Academic Building Garage will be reserved only until 5 p.m. or whenever the 'owner' vacates the spot, whichever comes later. In other words, if you obtain a spot through the lottery it will be reserved for your use throughout the day, but if you leave and return after 5 p.m. you will no longer have claim to the space. Access to the Academic Building Garage after 5 p.m. will be restricted to faculty, full- and part-time, who will be able to park in any available space (limited restrictions…) on a first-come, first-served basis.

Beginning today through Monday, May 13, by 5 p.m., you may participate in the lottery by accessing the form attached to the following link:

https://www.smartsheet.com/b/publish?EQBCT=41e5cc7805e2408e820f164578853d35

The lottery drawing will be conducted on Friday, May 17. At this time we expect there to be 90-95 spaces up for grabs in the lottery. The members of the Parking and Transportation Committee are making plans to host a Reserved Space Lottery Extravaganza on May 17, with food and drink and prizes of sorts. We can share in the joy of those whose names are selected and mire in misery with those who, well, just knew they weren't going to win. And no, you won't have to be present to win.

Stay tuned for more information on the lottery and on the replacement parking plan.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation, patience, and good humor as we all get through what will be a challenging but ultimately very rewarding period.

Vanessa Turner, Manager of Parking and Transportation
Mary Torres, Director, University Business Services
David Bradley, VP for Administration & Finance