By Rachel Swafford
You are driving to a 9:10 a.m. class and you’re almost there.
You’re pushing the clock. Then you pull into a parking lot and there’s no empty spots. Panic sets in as you drive around searching for a spot.
This happens each day to students at college campuses all over the U.S.
“When we survey students, one of their main concerns is having enough convenient parking spaces,” said Don Rose, director of facilities at HCC. The new parking lot is going to be at 13th and Plum.
“With Lockman Hall, the Rimmer Student Learning Center, and the Science Building all near there, putting more parking in that area makes sense,” he said.
“We are adding 56 new spaces, which is increasing from 84 to 140 total parking spaces between 12th and 13th streets,” he said.
Students are looking forward to the new spaces.
“Yesterday I couldn’t find a parking spot at all,” said Ashton Pelz, Clearwater.
“I had to park way over in the little parking lot off Plum Street. I think there was only one spot left.”
Ashton was excited to hear the news about the new lot spaces.
“Sometimes kids walk into class 10 minutes late because they couldn’t find a parking spot,” said Sabrina Hon, Wichita.
“It can be distracting. But I know it’s not their fault. Finding a spot seems to be a challenge around here.”
The contractors from Miller Builders, Hutchinson, have been working to get the new lot finished. They should have it ready soon.
“With this particular lot, there were houses standing on it before,” said Windell Miller, project manager.
The houses had to be removed and two basements filled.
“There are many things that go into getting a lot ready for construction,” he said.
One of the biggest things when constructing a parking lot is making sure that the soil can handle the concrete the way it’s supposed to. “We are using a sand based soil for this particular project,” Miller said.
The people from Miller Builders said that we can expect to see the parking lot done within the next thirty to forty days.
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