The interim director of Department of Public Safety presented the idea of an automated parking structure on campus to a DPS advisory group Tuesday afternoon.
The Public Safety Advisory Group revisited campus parking issues for the second meeting in a row.
Richard Turkiewicz, interim director of DPS, will present the possibility of an automated parking structure on campus again to administrators next week. An automated parking garage uses similar technology used at grocery distribution centers and lifts vehicles from a ground floor into storage units with a crane.
The idea came about after Turkiewicz attended an International Parking Institute conference recently in Florida.
Johnny Earl, a representative of the Service Employees International Union, said a simpler structure belonged on campus.
“It looks to me from afar that it could be very well used in the city of Portland, but not at the University of Oregon,” Earl said.
University sophomore Zach Basaraba said the idea appalled him, and he called the structure absurd.
“We could use that space and money for better projects,” he said.
Turkiewicz later said he wasn’t sure how much the structure would cost and said he wasn’t aware of any college campus with an automated parking structure.
“The University of Oregon – on the standpoint of being innovative and creative – would have a first,” Turkiewicz said at the meeting.
Ken Boegli, DPS parking manager, said those who use the structure would pay for construction and maintenance costs. He added construction would be financed for 20 to 30 years.
DPS officials said the structure, which would be no more than four stories and be built on existing parking, would provide some benefits.
Turkiewicz said the structure doesn’t need lighting, which can cost between $2,000 and $4,000 each month in electricity bills.
Turkiewicz said vehicles are more secure in an automated garage compared to a regular parking garage because the public cannot access vehicles.
The structure would be built with steel and not concrete, Turkiewicz said.
“Oregon Steel in Portland could build this,” Turkiewicz said, adding construction would help the local economy.
Boegli said an automated structure makes an efficient use of space because each car is put into a storage unit.
A similar structure built in 2002 in Hoboken, N.J., dropped an unoccupied Cadillac Deville six floors in 2004 and a Jeep four stories in 2005, the Associated Press reported. A malfunction that went unrepaired for 26 hours trapped cars inside last year at the same structure.
PSAG Chair Mike Filippelli said he was more interested exploring the idea of students parking at Autzen Stadium.
“It’s looking at the resources we already have,” Filippelli said.
Earl suggested striking a deal with Lane Transit District to have more bus service to and from Autzen.
Boegli said using the Autzen parking lot would mean getting permission from the Athletic Department, which manages the lot. He added an environmental impact study would need to be completed because the lot is gravel.
“Particles can be kicked up,” Boegli said.
Earl suggested PSAG form another committee that reports to Vice President of Finance and Administration Frances Dyke to explore the idea more.
During the meeting, the group also discussed the University hiring a permanent DPS director.
Brian Smith, assistant vice president for administration, said the University has received 43 applications for the permanent DPS director position. He said toward the end of June, the University hopes to narrow the field to six to eight finalists with the help of the national recruiting firm Bob Murray & Associates.
“We will look for input from this group and from the campus community,” Smith said.
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