Despite an extensive public transportation system and significant fees for parking permits, there remains a demand for on campus parking. Whether a car is needed for research purposes, commuting to and from home, community service, or simply due to lifestyle choices, the university must provide some parking. Ten percent of students and two thirds of faculty and staff are issued parking permits.
For the 04-05 academic year, the following parking permits were issued to students:
Providing parking proves to be extremely costly for Cornell. For standard surface parking lots, the university's average per-space construction cost is $7,800, for an annual life-cycle cost of about $1000 including maintenance and financing fees. For garage spaces, the average building cost increases to $25,000 to $30,000 and significant maintenance is required every 10 years. If built, underground parking would cost around $75,000 per space in construction costs alone. Although parking can be constructed for less, Cornell chooses to invest in extra aesthetic and environmental features, including appropriate landscaping, lighting, and extensive stormwater control features
Campus parking lot
Until recently, the university had not transformed green space into a parking lot since the parking garage was constructed in 1986. In June 2005, as a part of the West Campus Residential Initiative, Cornell began construction of the controversial University Ave. Parking Lot, a 176-space parking lot in the area known as Redbud Woods. This event has stimulated discussion between Cornell and its stakeholders regarding the challenges modern transportation poses to the growing university.
The university continues to seek ways to mitigate the effects of parking-related impacts on the environment. In order to protect the green space on central campus and minimize the need for parking spaces, the university has implemented the Transportation Demand Management Program and its support programs, such as RedRunner and CU Lift.
For more information, check out the web sites in the sidebar above, or contact David Lieb, Transportation and Mail Services at djl5@cornell.edu.
