Story By: Matthew Thomas
Morgan Hall of the Michael E. Stephens College of Business Building is currently undergoing expansion construction. The expansion will add a student commons, additional classrooms, a boardroom, and more.
However, over 30 parking spaces were removed to make room for the construction, which is causing problems for some UM students and staff members.
“It’s made parking a bit more of a nightmare than it usually is,” said Matt Renna, UM student and commuter.
“I realize the measures that they had to take, given the circumstances for expansion, but it felt rushed to me” said Renna.
Dr. Sally Hardig, UM communication studies professor, said that she was excited about the expansion, but also shared sentiments with Renna.
“I’ve had to start coming in a lot earlier. I used to come in around 9 and now I come in at least at 7 to make sure that I have parking,” said Hardig.
A temporary lot has been created on the grass behind Strong Hall, to help provide more parking. Gravel was recently added to the lot, because of its susceptibility to rainy weather.
Dean of UM College of Business, Stephen Craft, said that there is still a good amount parking space available, but it can be in locations that some would consider less ideal than before.
“We’ve had a bit of a habit of parking right next to Morgan hall, and that lot is no longer available. You might not be able to park in front of the actual building where you’d like to be at that moment, but there’s actually plenty of parking,” said Craft.
Currently there is not a set completion date for the expansion, but Craft said that it should be finished during either Fall or Spring of 2020,
Craft also said that all of the the removed parking spaces will be replaced and that 23 additional spaces will be available, following the expansion’s completion.
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