Terrace Place Parking Garage opens

"Over the past five years, we have put into place a number of changes designed to provide adequate, convenient parking for the Vanderbilt community," said Jane Cleveland, director of university and community relations. "The opening of the Terrace Place Parking Garage means that there is now parking available for Vanderbilt commuters relatively close to where they work or study."

With the garage opening Jan. 1, a total of 95 public parking spaces, 445 Zone 2 spaces and 407 reserved spaces will be available, said F. Clark Williams, manager of the Office of Traffic and Parking. The reserved spaces are available at a cost of $60 a month for covered parking and $55 a month for uncovered parking.

Individuals who are currently assigned to Zone 3 also will be able to park in the new garage as well as in other Zone 2 lots. Also, Zone 4 graduate students in departments in the central academic core will be able to park in the new facility if they elect to convert to a Zone 2 permit at no charge.

Cleveland and Williams worked with the Security Department to ensure that the garage offers commuters a convenient and safe place to park. Security measures include glass-backed elevators, a camera system in the garage and in the alley behind the garage, emergency phones on every floor and a fenced-in first floor.

Because of the increased presence of faculty, students and staff in the area of the garage, security officers will patrol the area more frequently. Individuals who would like an escort after dark may call 1-8888.

Access to the garage will be through two entrances on Terrace Place. A back door will be open on Sunday to facilitate access to the garage for parishioners of the Cathedral of the Incarnation.

Cleveland said the Rev. William Fleming, the cathedral's pastor, has allowed the University to use one of the church's parking lots while the garage has been under construction.

"We would like to think this is an example of both the University and one of its neighbors benefiting from a University project," Cleveland said.

The opening of the Terrace Place Garage is the last recommendation to be implemented as a result of a 1993 study of the University's parking needs. In the interim, the University has phased in a zoned parking system and has constructed and opened Wesley Place, a facility that includes retail, residential and parking space.

Next year, construction is expected to begin on a mixed-use development on West End Avenue between 25th Avenue South and Natchez Trace, north of Vanderbilt Stadium. That project will necessitate closing some parking lots on the west side of campus beginning in summer 1998.

"Although the five-year plan has concluded," Cleveland said, "we will continue to monitor the University's parking needs so that adjustments can be made if necessary."