Construction on the C-Midway lot is expected to be completed by Nov. 27. SEAN DAUGHERTY | DAILY KENT STATER

Credit: John Proppe

Despite unexpected delays, the Office of University Architect expects construction of the Midway commuter lot to be finished Nov. 27.

Michael Bruder, assistant director for the Office of University Architect, said the original late October opening date had been pushed back because of weather conditions and foundation problems.

“September had record breaking rainfall which held us up a bit,” he said. “It has been our biggest problem.”

Bruder said foundation issues with the northeast corner of the remaining portion of Terrace Hall — the ROTC building also halted progress.

“We modified the original plan when we realized a new foundation for that portion of the building had to be built.”

The C-Midway lot project began on July 20 to create about 200 new parking spaces, most of which will be for commuter students.

Senior education major Maggie Larke has been anticipating the opening of the C-Midway lot all semester.

Class projects require her to dress up on Monday and Tuesday. Most Tuesdays she would rather walk a mile from home to class because it’s more convenient than searching for an open commuter space.

“I’m sick of walking to White Hall from the Music and Speech lot in high heels,” Larke said. “I hope the new lot will make my C-permit more useful.”

Tom Clapper, senior assistant to the vice president of administration, said that more C-permits will be sold in the spring to better utilize the new lot.

“But, for the first semester we are going to be cautious until we see what the trends are,” he said.

Senior education major Tricia Bonds hopes the new lot will clear out the C-lot behind Verder Hall.

Bonds is an Engleman Hall resident and is allotted a row to use her S-35 pass in that lot.

“Some commuters park in the S-35 spaces when their parking spaces are filled,” she said.

I hope the new lot minimizes, if not eliminates that temptation, Bonds said.

Tiffany Rose, senior early childhood education major, drives 45 minutes from Warren to class. Due to parking issues, she leaves home an hour early to get to arrive in time, she said.

“My Tuesday classes begin at 11 a.m. and it’s nearly impossible to find a spot at that time.”

Rose thinks the C-Midway lot will better help her get to class on time.

“Any more parking we have is better than nothing,” she said. “I’m just ready for it to be finished.”

Contact transportation reporter Erica Weisburn at [email protected].