Campus parking woes may be a thing of the past following the holiday season. In January, the University of Houston will open its new $25.8 million, 1,500-space garage.

Five-hundred spaces will be allotted for faculty, staff and visitors on the garage’s first and second levels, and 1,000 spaces will be designated for students on the third, fourth and fifth levels. All spots reserved for vehicles with disability tags will be located on the first level.

“This facility will help alleviate parking congestion at the university,” said Bob Browand, director of parking and transportation. “We are anticipating a much improved parking situation for everyone on campus.”

Faculty, staff and students can already begin applying for garage permits in the office of Parking and Transportation Services in Room 1 of the Ezekiel Cullen Building’s basement. Prices for faculty and staff to upgrade their current permits to garage status are as follows:

Economy - $163
Economy Plus - $150
Ungated - $116
Gated - $71
Reserved - $26

There will be no reserved spaces in the garage. The entire garage will have open parking, but faculty, staff, students and visitors must park on their respective levels. Instead of permits, those parking in the garage will have an access card to enter and exit the gated garage. Visitors will gain entrance by obtaining a timed/dated ticket and will pay parking fees to either an automated payment machine or cashier on duty.

Security is a priority for this new facility as it will be equipped with 15 emergency call boxes, 14 security cameras, enhanced lighting and glass encased stairwells and elevator lobbies to allow for high visibility. A security office also will be housed in the garage.

The garage facility will also house UH’s new Welcome Center, which is expected to open after spring break. Retail outlets and dining establishments will also be added to the building and are still in the planning stages.

Mike Emery
memery@central.uh.edu