Students parking near Ferris State University’s Interdisciplinary Resource Center
and College of Business will find more spaces and improved vehicular area access,
later this year, based on plans approved by the university’s Board of Trustees in
February.
Physical Plant Senior Project Manager Joe Haupt said the area is expected to gain approximately 47 spaces by removing a curbed area with a stand of trees at the southern edge of Lot 36, while making use of the current two-lane roadway that serves as the connection to South Street from lots 36 and 37.
“We will extend West Stadium Drive to the south, along Top Taggart Field, which will create northbound travel from, and southbound access to, South Street,” Haupt said. “That will provide another route to Campus Drive and Top Taggart Field, while we offer more parking for our off-campus and commuting students. The current one-way stretch of Stadium Drive that serves as an exit to those lots will become needed parking spaces and a continued point of access from South Street and Knollview Drive. We believe that will provide improved passage to parking areas and greater access for commuters, faculty and staff.”
South Street improvements will include a left turn lane configuration, assisting traffic flow to the new entrance going near Top Taggart Field, while serving westbound traffic headed to Knollview Drive. Haupt said that when the project is completed, students driving into central campus will have increased options to access those parking areas and the football facility. The previous configuration meant traffic on South Street could only approach the parking lots from that stretch of Stadium Drive between Top Taggart Field and the Student Recreation Center.
“Preparations can begin in the final weeks of spring semester, but the most significant construction work for this project would get underway after Monday, May 7,” Haupt said. “Construction elements will be wrapped up by mid-to-late August, prior to students returning to campus for fall semester.”
PHOTO CAPTION: Students attempting to park near the Interdisciplinary Resource Center,
the College of Business and Top Taggart Field should find new options available by
late summer. A plan approved by Ferris State University’s Board of Trustees will create
greater access to and from South Street, along with approximately 47 spaces to be
developed on the southern edge of Lot 36.