Comprehensive Analysis of Parking Needs

Several parking issues have recently been presented to the MPC by Parking Services, and the MPC is aware that the UAF Staff Council has also made some suggestions directly to you. With regard to the Staff Council's suggestions, you should know that at no time did the Staff Council contact the UAF Master Planning Committee to inquire about its long-term view on parking.

With regard to the Parking Services request, there is a general belief within the MPC that UAF does not have a parking problem. There may be questions of parking convenience and a debate over Gold Decal parking, but more than sufficient parking places exist. Hence, it appears to the MPC that it is a question of how the existing spaces are being used, and that is generally the purview of Parking Services. The MPC is interested, however, in how spaces are used to address campus-wide and community-related questions such as (but not limited to) parking allocation for commuter students (e.g., one course per day) versus allocation of faculty and staff parking where cars don't move during the entire day. This and similar questions are certainly important areas for investigation.

What is missing in the current suggestions by Parking Services for construction of additional parking is a credible, professional, comprehensive analysis of campus-wide need that would form the basis for any request to construct additional parking areas. This includes additions to existing parking lots as shown in official UAF parking diagrams and for spaces not yet so designated. In the absence of such an analysis and conclusive evidence of inadequate parking spaces, it is the recommendation of the MPC that no requests for additional parking be considered at this time.

It cannot be stressed enough that a comprehensive analysis of campus-wide parking will be an integral part of the campus master planning process. Beginning that process now will be invaluable in the creation of a new master plan for this campus.

University of Alaska Fairbanks
Tanana Valley Campus
PO Box 8040-UAF

Phone: +1 907 474 7920
Fax:    +1 907 474 6725
fndlm5@uaf.edu