By Kaylyn Smith and Alicia Keene
Parking garages are great… until they’re not.
Students have long complained about space and guest-parking problems at three housing complexes in the North Overton Park area. This week, some are facing even greater inconveniences.
Mac Davis Lane between The Centre and The Village
The Village, The Centre and The Suites, all located close to each other across the street from the Jones AT&T Stadium, have enclosed parking garages for resident parking but limited or no space for guests.
Wednesday afternoon, The Centre at Overton Park informed residents via email, voice calls and texts that the second to fifth floors are going to be barricaded from Oct. 23 to Oct. 29 as the garage undergoes repairs.
“You may park on the first floor or at The Suites during this time,” an email to residents said. “Vehicles not removed by 7 a.m. the 23rd will be locked in until the 29th.”
Amanda DeHart, a senior sports management major who lives at The Suites, said she has not noticed too much of a traffic difference in the garage.
The Centre residents’ guests can normally park only the fifth floor of the garage. Visitors to The Village and The Suites cannot park anywhere in their respective garages and are asked to find parking elsewhere.
Keifer Lenamond, a resident and former employee at The Village, said the complex has received complaints about the lack of guest parking.
“There is absolutely no guest parking aside from Avenue X, which is always full,” Lenamond said. “If you have parents or people from out of town come to visit, they will have to park half a mile away from your apartment.”
Many have also complained about the numerous tickets and towing fees imposed on visitors.
Chelsea Grunden is one of the unlucky individuals who received two tickets and a towing fee in one year for parking at The Village. Her total fees from parking at The Village came out to $360. Grunden said parking at her apartment at University Trails is much easier than at The Village.
The Village apartment complex
“Guest parking is so much better at the Trails because they only tow on game days,” Grunden said. “So, if someone wants to stay over the weekend, their car will be fine.”
A representative from Lubbock Wrecker said he could not give an estimate of how many cars are towed each week from The Village.
Several current residents, former residents and guests said The Village needs more parking. Lenamond suggested the complex invest in the parking lot next to Ruby Tequila’s.
Carlos Alvarenga, a former Village resident from Dallas, had another idea.
“I would suggest them to buy the building at the back of the garage, knock it down and build guest parking,” Alvarenga said. “They could also make the fifth floor accessible to everyone.”
[Editor’s Note: Kaylyn Smith is a current resident at The Village. Alicia Keene is a current resident at The Centre.]
About The Hub@TTU
