The Seahawk

Issue date: 9/17/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Lisa Kurtz

Auxiliary Services made changes to UNCW parking this fall, but the most prominent has been the addition of the parking deck, located on the corner of Reynolds and Cahill drives. The parking deck was an addition to help increase parking for students, faculty and staff, and for the new residence hall, Seahawk Crossing.

It adds approximately 940 spaces that break down into around 700 spaces for students, 150 spaces for faculty and staff, and the remaining spaces for visitors.

The rate is $1.50 an hour with the first 15 minutes free. The daily rate, as well as the max rate, is $10 for a 24-hour period.

"The project is also a part of the Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) certified Seahawk Crossing project, which includes 50 electric vehicle plug-in spaces and many energy efficient items," said Rita Gordon, director of Auxiliary Services.

Other energy efficient elements include glossy painted ceilings to reflect heat and to make the parking deck brighter, along with energy efficient bulbs.

Safety was also a concern as the new parking deck was being built. Both Parking Enforcement Officers and the UNCW Police patrol the area. Glass elevators were decided on in case people become trapped.

Auxiliary Services also removed bar codes from parking pass decals. Now, a series of numbers and letters written in the color of the designated zones is used to identify new permits.

"[The bar codes] were put on decals anticipating a new technology that we could not afford to purchase," said Gordon. "We don't actually use them."

Those who do not have a car can take advantage of the Seahawk Shuttle and Wave Transit service. Shuttle services have been improved by making on-campus loops faster and safer, as well as the addition of Point-To-Point shuttle running until midnight Sunday through Thursday. This was designed to provide a safe way of transportation for students during later hours, such as coming home from a late night at the library and other events on campus.

Gordon described the new Point-to-Point shuttles as a "dispatch service." Anyone can call a number to go either to or from campus within a one-mile radius. This improvement was done due to safety concerns.

"UNCW Police offer a great escort service, but emergencies come first," said Gordon.

Gordon also explained that the new shuttle service gives students within the one-mile radius the option of saving money by not buying a nighttime decal.

"I think it is a good idea. I would probably use it more so for attending events such as UNCW games," said junior Brienna Krucke.

Auxiliary Services also created a new brochure to improve student parking experiences. The three previous brochures, which explained rules and regulations for nighttime, commuter and resident decals separately, have been combined and condensed into one easy-to-read brochure.

"The biggest infraction is people [parking] with no decal at all," said Ken Kaiser, the parking enforcement supervisor.

Gordon hopes the new brochure will hit the highlights and bring down the number of citations, which Kaiser said can average over 200 per day.

"Parking is one of many experiences students go through at UNCW, if we make that positive we hope other experiences at UNCW are positive too," said Gordon.

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