Although Parking Services has discussed adding a parking deck on campus, no plans have been set to add one

Parking Services Manager Larry Emling said the idea of a parking deck is a discussion that comes up frequently.

“There were times when I thought we were extremely close to saying, ‘Yes, it is time, let’s build a deck,’” Emling said. “For one reason or another, it gets pulled, or people change their mind.”

He also said cost is a major factor as to why a deck has not been constructed on campus. On average, a parking spot costs $20,000 in a deck, with a 500-space deck costing $10 million.

“What you have to look at then is if you are building a 500-car deck, are you building it on top of a 200- car lot, so your net gain is only 300,” Emling said. “Or do you have untouched land to build on? Then your true net gain is 500.”

The location of a parking deck would also be a critical factor because the roads near the parking deck would need to be able to handle the number of cars using the deck.

“Certain areas you could build a deck and it would be great, as it would be used from 10 to 2 everyday, but it would sit empty at night and sit empty in the summer,” Emling said. “If you are going to do that, you really want to get the biggest bang for your buck.”

Permit fees would have to increase across the board if a parking deck were built, as current permit fees could not fund a project of this size.

“I cannot say it won’t happen right now, but there is just no current plan to look at it,” Emling said.