West Campus Students To Park At Overflow Parking Lot

Starting March 5, West Campus students might have to park at an overflow lot at Miami International Mall while a new parking garage is built on campus.

The overflow parking, which is 3.6 miles from West Campus—according to Google Maps Distance Calculator—will be utilized when the 168 parking spaces at the West Campus have been filled.

Five, free, 45-passenger shuttles will transport students from the lot located on the southeast section of the mall, directly across from JC Penny at 1455 Northwest 107th Ave.
The shuttles will run, Monday through Saturday, from 7 a.m. through 11 p.m.

It is unknown how many shuttles will be used per shift or how often they will make their rounds, West Campus officials said, but they are expected  to help alleviate the parking problems at the campus.

“We have serious parking issues,” said Ana DeMahy, director of administrative and student services at West Campus. “This will make it easier for the students to be at the campus until construction for the parking garage is finished.”

West Campus officials broke ground on a new $24 million parking garage on Feb. 8 The five-story facility is expected to be completed in late December.

The new five-story parking garage will have approximately 1,848 spaces. It will include an amphitheatre, an outdoor area and partially covered stage.
“We heard that you wanted parking; with that comes some inconvenience,” DeMahy said. “But we are trying to do this in the best way possible.”

According to DeMahy, students should plan to arrive on campus at least half an hour before their classes start to assure they make it to class on time while the construction is ongoing.

“I am annoyed at the fact that I have to give up an extra 50 minutes to find parking  in order to make it to class on time,” said West Campus student, Eddie Sanchez.

But other students  like West Campus Student Government Association President Magra Medina believe the sacrifice is worth it for the future betterment of the campus.

“The parking situation is a matter of getting used to. It will be tough for the first few weeks until we all get our schedules together,” Medina said. “Once the parking garage is finished it will allow the campus to grow more—more students, more classes. Hopefully it will ease the schedules for the students who currently attend the campus.”

For more information contact West Campus Public Safety Office at 305-237-811, or Room 1204.