Dirt parking lot shut down, paved lot doesn't fully make up for loss of spaces

Pinnacle campus students who are used to hopping the curb to find parking in the non-paved parking area near the campus will have to start using the new parking lot addition instead. The dirt parking lots will be closed permanently beginning Sept. 26, eliminating 200-300 spaces.

The addition adds 108 new parking spaces. City of Austin inspectors approved the new lot. The inspectors also noted that vehicles would no longer be allowed to park in the dirt lot because it was against city code.

The net loss of over 100 spaces has left students wondering how Austin Community College will respond. "A parking garage might not be the logical choice, but the only choice now," echocardiography student Hunter Leadford says.

The parking problems are affecting the campus. Pinnacle's Welcomepalooza event, organized by Student Life, was reduced compared to other campuses, since vendors' cars took up potential student spots.

As an alternative to parking on campus, ACC is now paying for a free shuttle service for students from the Tony Burger Activity Center to Pinnacle and back every 30 minutes. The shuttle service is run by two charter buses. "While it is useful, it seems like a lot of cash," said pre-med student Louis Goodman.

Campus officials are searching for a long term solution. "What we need is a college-wide parking and transportation master plan," said Campus Manager Judy VanCleve. "Hopefully students will be able to come up with a solution."

"Long range we want to work with Capitol Metro to come up with a solution," said Ben Ferrell, Business Services VP for ACC. Ferrell is also working on a contract for parking space at the former Albertson's store on Highway 71. "We have a lot of irons in the fire right now."