The last phase of the Rocky Stream Restoration project started Monday, and while the project’s completion will restore main campus’ creek as a scenic stream, parking for staff, faculty, and students has been directly impacted with the construction’s beginning.
The last phase will create some issues for staff parking in “C” spaces – those reserved for employees from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. Approximately 114 parking spaces have been temporarily eliminated in central campus while 42 have been lost in Carmichael lot for the duration of construction. 37 spaces will be permanently lost in Carmichael between Lower Miller Field and the south side of the Natatorium.
“It was very hectic of course,” Rob Hayford, associate director at the Student Health Center, said. “The number of parking spots for employees has been reduced significantly.”
Traffic cones and fencing are blocking off parking spaces and causing employees to leave their homes early to find parking.
“People had their blinkers on ready to take a space as soon as someone pulled out. One employee got here half an hour in order to find parking,” Hayford said.
Although it was the first day of construction, both students and staff seemed to be reacting badly. Transpotation said ticketing increased with the beginning of construction as students, responding to the elimination of parking spaces, are more inclined to park in spots restricted to them.
The Rocky Branch Restoration project will include the installation of 6000 feet of greenway path along an urban creek which runs more than a mile though the center of campus. The path is intended to provide a transportation alternative and bring people close to the creek.
The project is being completed in three phases. Phase I, the construction of a greenway from Gorman St. to Dan Allen Dr., was completed in the spring of 2002. Phase II ran from Morrill Dr. to Pullen Rd. Phase III will connect Dan Allen Dr. to Pullen Dr.
The project will also include an accessible outdoor teaching laboratory, water and wildlife preservation at the creek, and a way to integrate the creek into campus life.
Water quality specialist, Barbara A. Doll from the Sea Grant program, believes that the benefits of this project far exceed any temporary setbacks. She says that the quality of the creek has drastically improved over the years.
“When I came to school here, it was an eroded polluted wasteland and now it is frequently used for classes,” Doll said. “It has really become an outdoor classroom. 235 feet of stream will be unpiped and let out from underground. This will increase the amount of habitat on campus for aquatic animals and improve the water supply by opening up the pipes,” she said.
Doll believes that construction will take about 305 days and that the setbacks on parking are going to have the most direct affect on faculty and students. However, she believes these setbacks should be kept in perspective with the ultimate goals of this project, as students will have an opportunity to do more biking and walking, while getting closer to nature.
“It is an inconvenience for users but only for a short time. The University decided that it was important and paid for the lost spaces,” Doll said.
