'U,' Ann Arbor enter joint parking venture

A joint venture between the University and the City of Ann Arbor, could alleviate some of the constant parking crunch on campus.

Once the Forest Avenue-Willard Street parking structure located on South University Avenue is demolished in March and completed about a year later, the costs of operating the multi-level structure will be shared by the University and the city.

The enlarged structure will include about 400 spaces, allowing the facility to accommodate 867 cars.

"This is a positive piece of collaboration with the city," University President Lee Bollinger said at the University Board of Regents meeting Friday morning.

The board approved the plan during the meeting, but did not reveal the price tag for the University's share of the operating costs.

Based on current agreement, the University will be allowed 32 percent of the structure's total capacity solely for University use.

Chief Financial Officer Robert Kasdin, said those 277 University spaces will improve the current parking situation for University workers and faculty members.

"We are aware that this is a crucially important structure at the University," Kasdin said.

The additional spaces will provide new parking options for University employees who work in the School of Business Administration, the School of Education and the School of Social Work.

Two other University structures - one located on Church Street near East Hall and one located on Hill Street behind the School of Business Administration - currently are the nearest for workers in those facilities.

"This project is going to release some pressure for those who work in those buildings," said Hank Baier, associate vice president for facilities and operations.

The Ann Arbor City Council approved the joint-operation venture in April.

The rebuilding of the Forest Avenue-Willard Street parking structure is the next project in a series of rehabilitations to municipal parking facilities.

Kasdin said the rebuilding of the facility will not only provide some parking relief to the University but also to South University Avenue area merchants and their customers.

The city-owned South Fourth Avenue/East Washington Street structure near Main Street was demolished last year and rebuilt with spaces for 277 cars.

Although the city's Maynard Street parking structure was not demolished, it is being renovated.

Both projects are scheduled to be completed in October, providing parking relief to downtown Ann Arbor.

09-20-99