The beginning of phase two of the Summit Street Improvement Project has commuters in the Campus Center West parking lot struggling to find a place to park.

Construction on the lot began during the first week of class. Since then, different areas of the lot have been blocked off for equipment or to be worked on. Students who park in the crowded lot have had to face a loss of parking space.

“Recently, I’ve had a very difficult time getting spots,” said Anthony Harris, a senior economics major. “I’ve actually been late to class a few times.”

“We reduced permit sales. We sold C-Permits but we did not sell any Campus Center West permits for this spring other than the ones already out there from last fall, but we didn’t renew any of those for spring with the anticipation of lost space,” Emling said.

The Summit Street Improvement Project is set to start in the beginning of March. The construction in the Campus Center lot is preparation work.

“It involves moving West Campus Center Drive over and splitting the R-12 Schwartz lot and the Campus Center West commuter lot,” Emling said. “So right now, this is all prep work, storm lines and anticipation of moving that road over. Ideally, this will be done late spring/early summer so that it’s in place for the fall semester.”

However, when the construction is completed, there will be a loss of parking space in that lot. Commuters can expect to see permanent loss of space come mid-March. The lost space will be made up by a new parking lot in the Science Mall.

Parking Services sent out an email warning commuters of the construction. Emling encourages the importance of learning to coexist with the construction workers and their equipment. The only other option would be to shut down the lot.

Commuters are advised to show up early and take it slow through the lot. Commuters who are limited to the Campus Center West lot also have the option of parking on the east side of the lot to avoid the construction.

“I normally have to park other places since sometimes the construction blocks the parking lot,” said Brooke Mullins, a junior teaching English as a second language major. “One time I had to leave for work, but there was actually a truck blocking my car so I couldn’t leave.”

Emling said those holding a C-All permit should explore other options than the Campus Center lot. C-All permit holders can also park in the C-Verder, C-Midway, C-CPA, C-Ice Arena and C-Science lots.

“It’s up to both sides to be safe, the contractors and the students who are driving through there,” Emling said. “We reminded the contractors that people are in a hurry. Everybody needs to slow down and be careful.”

Hannah Coleman is the parking and transportation reporter, contact her at [email protected].