New Parking Garage At Hialeah Campus Makes Parking More Convenient
Parking Space: The Hialeah Campus opened a new seven-floor parking garage this summer that features more than 1,000 parking spaces and a community multipurpose room.
Hialeah Campus students, faculty and staff are having an easier time finding parking this fall semester thanks to a new seven-floor parking garage that features more than 1,000 parking spaces and a community multi-purpose room.
The new hulking $21.9 million parking structure located at the southernmost part of the campus adjacent to 46 Street with its entrance on West 17 Court opened on July 1.
“The garage provides a safe environment and more accessible route for students to get to class,” said Hialeah Campus President, Mattie Roig-Watnik. “Students have been very positive and we are very pleased with this. The garage is very aesthetically pleasing and welcoming in its design.”
Previously, parking was hard to come by on campus because their were a limited number of spaces. Since January of 2013, the campus provided additional parking for students, faculty and staff off site at Westland Mall and at El Dorado furniture store.
Shuttles were provided to transport passengers. The shuttles ran in 10-to-15 minute intervals.
“Before parking was horrible, and sometimes we would have to park along the street,” said Daniel Cespedes, who is studying chemistry at Hialeah Campus. “Now it feels like security is able to monitor this better than just an open area.”
The multi-purpose room, located on the first floor of the garage, allows flexibility for campus and community events to take place on site such as the Volunteer Expo.
“I’m new here and I think it’s great.” said first-year student, Ceilyn Santos. “There’s space and it definitely feels safe.”
The parking garage is one of various improvements Hialeah Campus will be implementing. For example, the Learning Resource area was recently renovated, integrating tutoring and instructional services for students.
“Students have been very receptive and happy to be able to park on campus,” Roig-Watnik said. “They have told their instructors, public safety and advisors how happy they are that they can park on campus, walk to their classes and not have to cross the street or take a bus.”