The parking garage being constructed on the campus of McNeese State University is on schedule for its March opening, despite
losing several workdays to rain.
The garage’s exterior, which is composed of pre-built modular components, is expected to be completed in a few weeks, with
the garage’s interior components to follow.
“We are looking at a March completion
for the parking garage. The exterior work should be completed in a few
weeks then they
have to run the electrical lines and install storm drainage,”
McNeese spokeswoman, Candace Townsend said. “Once the exterior
is complete and the electrical system is installed then they will
work on the lighting, security systems, counting system,
railings, elevators and signage.”
The garage’s construction will include
two elevators, and slightly elevated crosswalks from the garage
stretching to the opposite
side of the road near the university’s recreational complex
according to ADA guidelines.
Security for the complex will include
high-grade, high-resolution security cameras covering all vehicular and
pedestrian entrances,
stairwells and parking areas, as well as emergency call stations
on each level and a speaker system to broadcast campus emergency
announcements.
“The garage will be patrolled by McNeese police and the security cameras can be checked periodically directly from McNeese
police,” Townsend said.
The structure will initially accommodate 880 vehicles on three levels, with an option of installing a fourth level, and will
have five vehicular exits, none of which will exit directly onto Common Street.
“The university’s engineers and traffic specialist contracted for the design are currently performing further review of traffic
patterns to hopefully help avoid traffic congestion on the surrounding streets,” Townsend said.
Easing the impact of traffic congestion in the area even further will be the digital counter at the mouth of the garage that
will keep students from having to guess whether or not parking spaces are available.
“There will also be a vehicle counting
system that will keep track of how many vehicles enter and leave the
garage. It will
electronically display the available spaces on each level to
reduce the amount of unnecessary ‘trolling’ for empty spots.
There will be signage near the Common Street entrances that will
indicate whether the garage is full or open,” Townsend said.