The LSU Office of Parking, Traffic and Transportation announced plans to re-open the West Stadium parking lot next week, but no specific date has been set. The parking lot has been closed for two years because of Tiger Stadium construction. “We had hoped to have it open last week for regular use, but the contractor still has some concrete to pour on the north end,” said Gary Graham, director of the Office of Parking, Traffic and Transportation. Graham said the University delayed opening the parking lot because of heavy rain in the area in late August. When the parking lot opens, about 300 commuter parking spaces and about 100 faculty, staff and visitor parking spaces will be available. Kristen Myers, elementary education senior, said parking is a problem at the University. “Sometimes I’m late to class or miss it altogether,” she said.
“Sometimes I miss so much, there’s no point in going.” Myers said the University should have more commuter parking lots. She said the University should position commuter parking lots closer to the buildings where students have classes. “Most of the lots are on the outskirts of campus, so it takes twice as long to find a spot and twice as long to walk to class,” she said. Gaynelle Brown, electrical engineering sophomore, said she decided to take the bus to campus after experiencing problems finding parking spaces last week. “In the morning, you have to sit in the commuter lot and wait for someone to leave,” she said. “It’s really bad.” Brown said her car was towed last year because she had parked illegally. She said the situation could have been avoided if there were more parking spaces available to commuters.
—–Contact Angelle Barbazon at [email protected]