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A month ago we wrote a column with suggestions for improving parking on campus and promised to print the administration’s response. Readers will recall our concern that students are being ticketed for parking illegally when no legal parking spaces are available. We were especially distressed that so many unused spaces are reserved for handicapped and loading vehicles when they always seem to be empty. We hope that part of our legacy to the University of Maine will be to help alleviate the parking problem.
The following is the response of Paul. X. Paradis, manager of Parking Services, edited slightly to fit in the space available:
You ask if there are things that can be done to increase the number of spaces within the lots, either by reducing the size of the parking spaces or driving lanes. The dimensions of the parking spaces are presently at the smallest acceptable size to allow enough room for opening doors without damage to neighboring vehicles. There are occasional opportunities to reconfigure space. That will occur within the Maine Center for the Arts lot this summer. We anticipate increasing the number of spaces by 45 through the elimination of several intersections.
We will look at the assignments of handicapped spaces in the area. I don’t see a need to change the law and its requirements; examining the assignments and making any necessary changes could suit our needs.
Currently the university has 6,610 parking spaces. There are 5,972 spaces specifically designated faculty/staff, resident student and commuter student parking. The remaining spaces are designated for disability, metered, loading zone and service vehicle parking.
During the past four years, the university has added 950 parking spaces to its inventory.
In September 2003, Parking Services began conducting hourly surveys of the commuter and perimeter parking lots during the peak parking hours of 9 a.m. to noon. Spaces are consistently available in the Steam Plant, Alfond and satellite lots. This spring semester the survey found empty lots in the Belgrade lot as well. This office can provide suggestions for anyone having difficulty finding a space if they call or stop by.
I think that the Bangor Area Comprehensive Transportation Study report is a good planning tool and has a number of ideas regarding future expansion. This report can be found on the Eastern Maine Development Council’s Web site at www.emdc.org/umainestudy.htm. The report addresses the concept of a walking interior campus setting with perimeter parking and perimeter traffic flow. It points out that alternative transportation methods need to be explored by the campus population. Suggestions include walking, biking, carpooling, public transportation and shuttle service within the campus. An area of concern highlighted by the report is that added spaces will bring more vehicles to the campus, placing further pressure on the surrounding roadways and intersections.
Allow me to point out that some of these ideas have been implemented and are already being promoted. The campus is a participant in Commute Another Way Day June 9. The State of Maine’s car pooling/van pooling service, Go Maine, is available. Students and staff can ride within the Bangor Area Transportation System for free (at a cost of $15,000 per year to the university and the Student Government). During large events an inter-campus shuttle service is offered (during past Cohen Lecture series and this year’s graduation ceremony).
A specific area of concern that you identified is the space in front of the Sculpture Studio that includes two loading zones. As you move across campus, you will notice that adjacent to each building there is at least one loading zone and one service vehicle space. You will also see areas designated as fire lanes. These designated areas are designed to organize parking in a safe and orderly fashion, allow people short-term access to the building, and clear the way for any emergency response that might be required within the building.
At the Sculpture Studio, two spaces were established to allow faculty and students access to the building for the loading and unloading of materials and their finished art, while keeping the fire lane clear. These two spaces were created after consultation with the faculty members working in the building.
Again, I appreciate your offer to allow for a response in your column. I hope this information clarifies the issues for you and your readers – Paul X. Paradis.
Legal Services of Student Government is provided by Curtis & Miller Law Office LLP. Legal Services is located on the lowest level of Memorial Union. It can be reached at 581-1789 or on FirstClass: Theodore Curtis or David Miller. Copyright Theodore S. Curtis Jr. and David R. Miller.
Bangor Daily News