New Parking Structure Set to Open Aug. 1

The long-anticipated $16 million University of La Verne parking structure, which will boost parking availability at the university and ease parking issues in downtown La Verne, has been completed and officially opens Aug. 1.

Part of the university’s 2020 master plan, the state-of-the-art parking structure adds 693 new spaces to campus. Combining the structure and surface lot, parking lot D will now have 1,080 spaces. Permits will be included in student tuition, meaning it will no longer be a separate fee.

“I am extremely pleased with the progress and outcome of the parking structure project. The structure looks great and will be opening early and slightly under budget,” said Clive Houston-Brown, vice president for facilities and technology.

The university worked closely with the city of La Verne throughout the project. Crews approached construction with sustainability in mind, crushing existing asphalt and reusing other on-site materials to maximize the use of recycled materials. Low-flow sprinkler heads, flow sensors and smart irrigation controllers were installed to monitor and limit irrigation runoff.

The structure has a number of features including:

– Sustainability: LED lighting throughout, electric vehicle charging stations, carpool spaces and the university’s first solar array on the roof, providing power for the structure, Campus Safety & Transportation offices, Leo Park and the surrounding surface parking lot.

– Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility: Includes multiple paths allowing the disabled to access campus.

– Security: Cameras throughout the structure, 10 blue light emergency stations and the Campus Safety and Transportation offices.

“The Campus Safety and Transportation offices are easier for the campus community to find now,” said James Miyashiro, senior director of university safety operations. “We’re in a location now that’s going to be viewed by everybody.”

The new offices also allow officers to better monitor the campus because they will have four 50-inch television screens dedicated to the campus’ 200 cameras. Each screen will have about 50 boxes apiece of live footage from those cameras, Myashiro said. Officers previously had to rotate between two smaller screens to view camera footage.

The new location provides easier access to the university’s bike loan program. Members of the campus community previously had to arrange to meet a campus safety officer at a location on campus, but will now be able to check out bikes right from the Campus Safety offices.

A grand opening celebration is set for 4:30 p.m. Sept. 1 at the university.