By Jeff Samoray, OU Web Writer

To meet the parking demands on Oakland University’s campus, a new overflow parking lot has been completed and is ready for use.

The new lot, located south of Pioneer Drive near Library Drive, contains about 170 spaces, said Rusty Postlewate, associate vice president for facilities management.

“The intent of the lot is that it be primarily used for daytime overflow parking and provide a good relief valve for the lots between Varner Hall and the Science and Engineering Building,” Postlewate said. “There will be two light fixtures installed in that lot sometime later this month, but the lot is striped and usable.”

Demand for parking on OU’s campus is usually highest during the beginning of fall and winter semesters, especially at P-1, the main university lot that stretches from South Foundation Hall to Graham Health Center. During these busy periods, motorists usually can find parking in P-3, located next to Graham Health Center at Meadow Brook Drive and East Oakland Drive.

The OU Police Department also suggest that motorists allow extra time to find a parking space, study the campus map to learn of all available parking spaces and to make several parking lot selections closest to your destination, and select a safe and appropriate space to avoid accidents or tickets.

The university is addressing the shortage of spaces by taking other steps to provide relief. In December, the OU Board of Trustees approved the schematic design of a new parking structure. The three-level structure, to be located at the lower playing fields across from the new School of Education and Human Services building, will have a brick veneer exterior and provide about 550 spaces. The final architectural plans are near completion, Postlewate said.

“We’re going to be advertising toward the end of January to solicit bids from contractors, with the goal of awarding a bid for construction by the end of February,” Postlewate said. “Groundbreaking should be in March or April, with a goal of completion by the end of October.”

For more information and additional updates on parking related issues, visit the campus parking Web page.