I am so pleased to report that construction of our new Performing Arts & Humanities Building began in June, with the first phase to be completed in summer 2012. The Patapsco Hall Addition project to add another 183 bed residential facility also began this summer.
Many improvements and changes in campus parking are also being implemented. New parking zones, re-numbering/re-naming of parking facilities, new parking lot signage, improvements to pedestrian walkways/crossings and a new intra-campus shuttle have been designed to help faculty, staff and students get around more easily. I wanted to particularly highlight these initiatives and provided details, as I know you will want to have this information as you plan for your parking needs at the beginning of the semester.
Starting this fall, a new parking zone plan will be put in place that designates parking for faculty/staff, commuting students, residential students, and visitors. For Faculty/Staff, these new parking zones will be effective starting on Friday, August 20. The student parking zones will go into effect on August 27.
Parking Zones for Faculty/Staff
Based on your type of faculty/staff (F/S) permit, parking will be available in designated zones on campus (“Purple-D” zone for non-gated and “Purple-E” zone for gated).
Gated permit holders will continue to be assigned to a specific gated lot. A parking gate has been installed within Lot #8 for gated permit holders who previously parked in the former gated lots #9A and #16; the current gate cards for these permit holders have already been transferred for use at Lot #8.
You may view all zones on the new campus parking map and other associated information at the Campus Parking Blog at http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/parkingforum/.
The full parking zone plan will be effective during the fall and spring semesters only, on Mondays through Thursdays, 7 a.m.-9 p.m. and Fridays, 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. In the winter and summer months, a modified parking zone plan will be in effect whereby faculty/staff will also be able to park in areas designated for students.
To assist in navigating from the current parking practices to the new parking zone plans, we created a “Before and After Parking Summary” for each type of permit holder. The Faculty/Staff summary document identifies the parking arrangements before and after August 20 and is available on the Campus Parking Blog noted above. This document also provides information on the changes with the renumbering of the parking lots, the new intra-campus shuttle, handicapped parking and visitor parking.
Pedestrian/Parking Improvements
We understand that walking easily and safely to offices and classes is a priority for faculty and staff. Several pedestrian pathway improvements have been made with this in mind, expected to be completed by the start of classes in August as follows:
· A new pedestrian crossing from the Stadium Lot (formerly Lot #17) to the campus core;
· Pedestrian access improvements to the crossings at (1) The Commons Drive and Hilltop Circle and (b) Poplar Avenue and Hilltop Circle intersections;
· New parking signage which will include the new lot numbering system and the parking zone letter/color designation; and,
· A new intra-campus shuttle that will run 7:00 a.m.-10:30 p.m. from Lot #25 (formerly the TRC Lot) to Walker Avenue and back, traveling on the inner and outer loop of Hilltop Circle.
Other parking enhancements include the reconfiguration of Lots #5 and #12 into one lot (new Lot #3) for improved parking access, and the addition of spaces to Lot #1 (former Lot #3), Lot #23 (former Lot #13) and Lot #24 (former Lot #18).
We look forward to watching UMBC grow and change as we begin this academic year!
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