A Publication of Parking Services
December, 1994
Volume 4, Issue 3
Upcoming Improvements: Renovation, Construction And Maintenance Projects
Update: New Parking Lot Development
Earlier this year we announced the development of two new parking lots to be located on Huron Street next to the Neuroscience Building and on Fuller Road at West Medical Center Drive.
Both sites were optimistically planned for construction late last summer with opening in early fall. Work was delayed and will begin in spring 1995, with anticipated completion by early next summer.
Glazier Way Sidewalk
Also this past summer we advertised that sidewalk access would be provided from the Glazier Way Commuter lot along Glazier Way to Beal Avenue, with anticipated completion by September.
This project has been delayed for an indefinite period pending resolution of easement and other issues.
Modifications To The Parking Program For the Handicapped
Parking for the handicapped will receive special attention in the months to come. The majority of handicapped-designated parking spaces throughout the parking system will be restriped to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Typically, the parking space and aisle width will be increased to 13 feet. At the same time, numbers of spaces will be reviewed and, in some areas, spaces will be added.
Work will begin in structures and continue until weather temperatures are too cold to apply paint. Restriping in surface lots will occur next spring.
You may observe some vacant spaces. The ADA requires specific numbers of spaces, determined by the overall number of spaces in a lot or structure, to meet parking and program needs. The intent is to provide one or two additional designated spaces than is typically used to help ensure that space will always be available. However, we recognize vacancy in some areas may be higher.
Late for Concerts?
Perhaps you’ve overlooked the Palmer Drive entrance to the Fletcher Parking Structure. Typically this entrance receives very little use. We recommend you try it for your next concert to avoid the traffic congestion on Fletcher Street.
Parking Enforcement
We continue to receive many questions and concerns regarding enforcement of the University’s Ordinance to Regulate Parking and Traffic.
The difficult task of parking enforcement is the responsibility of the Department of Public Safety. Requests for enforcement, reports of an enforcement problem and questions should be directed to the DPS at 763-3434.
Parking Permit Display
The Department of Public Safety has asked us to remind you that parking permits must be displayed in accordance with the instructions provided. Permit locations were selected to facilitate accurate enforcement. If you are unable to display your permit as instructed, contact the Parking Services office for assistance at 764-8291, option 7.
Teaming With AATA: RideShare Matching Service Available
Are you interested in forming or joining a car pool, but don’t know how to get started? The RideShare program offered by the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA) may be your answer.
RideShare is a free, computerized matching service for commuters who live or work in Washtenaw County. It provides the contacts and information you need to start sharing a ride.
By submitting your application, the AATA will send you a computer-matched list of people who live near you, have work hours and locations compatible with yours, and are interested in sharing a ride.
When you share a ride, you conserve more than your financial resources. You save on consumption of gasoline, a resource in limited supply, and reduce environmental pollution and congestion on roads and highways.
To obtain an application, contact either the Parking Services office at 764-8291, option 7, or AATA at 973-6500.
New Systems Of Parking Identification Being Explored
May I park at a Reduced Rate lot with my Staff Paid permit?
My Reduced Rate permit is a staff permit I paid for, so I can park at a Staff Paid structure, right?
These questions are typical of those asked since the menu of parking permits has expanded with the addition of new parking options. The term Staff Paid no longer describes a particular parking permit, and confusion continues to occur about where parking permits are valid.
New methods of parking identification are now being explored to simplify understanding of the parking system. One approach under consideration is to replace Staff Paid and Reduced Rate permits with color-coded permits. A single color might represent each parking tier, similar to the “Yellow Lot” permit developed this year. Parking area entrance signs would then be color-keyed to the permits.
If you have comments or suggestions to contribute, we would appreciate hearing from you.
Parking Change To Occur At Thompson Street Lot W18
Additional visitor parking in the area adjacent to the Michigan Union, LS&A and Student Activities Buildings will be installed later this month in surface lot W18 (across from West Quad) to help satisfy increasing demand.
Thirty-five staff paid spaces will be converted. Staff will be relocated to vacant spaces in the Thompson Street structure, where daily vacancies of 75 or more spaces have been observed during the period September through November. Work will be completed by the end of December.
Attendant Service To End At Thayer Structure
Many of you have probably observed parking attendants at the Thayer Structure. For many years, an attendant was assigned to provide parking for guests and visitors in spaces left vacant by staff.
Parking patterns at Thayer have changed in recent months with increased use by faculty and staff. Therefore, effective Dec. 23, 1994, the visitor service will be discontinued.
Guests and visitors may be directed to the dedicated visitor parking area in the Fletcher Structure. Also, open metered parking is available behind the Fletcher Structure.
Parking & Transportation Services: Holiday Changes
Transportation services will be altered again this year during the University’s holiday break. The following information is provided to advise you of changes during this time.
AATA
The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority route 12U from Maple Village Shopping Center will be suspended beginning Monday, Dec. 26 through Friday, Dec. 30. Regular service will resume Monday, Jan. 2.
[Note: 12U does not run on weekends.]
The route 36 service between C.C. Little Building and the Wolverine Tower will run at 30-, rather than 15-minute intervals Dec. 26–30.
Other AATA routes will continue regular service with the exception that routes with 15-minute service will become 30-minute services Dec. 26–30. Finally, all Saturday services will end by 7:45 p.m. on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31.
U-M Transportation Services
The Commuter and North Commuter bus services (Crisler Arena and Glazier Way) will be suspended beginning Dec. 26. Regular service will resume Tuesday, Jan. 3.
The Hospitals Shuttles
All shuttles, Fuller-Mitchell, Kellogg and NIB, will be suspended Dec. 26–Jan. 2. Regular service will resume Jan. 3.
For further information, contact the transportation providers: AATA, 996-0400; U-M Transportation, 764-3427; Hospitals Shuttles, 936-6166.
Special Holiday Parking Enforcement
Enforcement of all staff parking areas will be suspended system wide beginning Dec. 24 through Jan. 2. Enforcement will continue at meters, U-M vehicle and handicap designated spaces, in fire lanes, etc. Regular enforcement, in accordance with posted signs, will resume Tuesday, Jan. 3.
This will allow those without permits, and those who typically park at the Fuller-Mitchell or commuter lots, to use parking areas adjacent or close to buildings during the holiday recess.
For Your Safety…
Recent events have emphasized the importance of providing, to the extent possible, a safe environment for work and study at the University of Michigan. Many safety initiatives are now in place to help ensure safe parking and travel throughout all campuses.
Emergency Phones are designated by blue lights. The phones, which are located in all parking structures and throughout campus, are answered by the Department of Public Safety and may be used for emergencies and general assistance.
Nite Owl bus services are available from the Undergraduate Library, September through April. Buses run seven days per week, every 30 minutes 7–9:30 p.m. and 12:30–2 a.m., and every 20 minutes 9:30 p.m.–12:30 a.m.
Night Ride is a $2 shared-ride taxi service offering transportation anywhere in Ann Arbor 11 p.m.–5:45 a.m, daily. Rides may be requested by calling 663-3888.
Escort Service – The Department of Public Safety will arrange for students, driving marked security vehicles, to transport you to your destination. Service may be requested by phoning 763-1131.
Safewalk (936-1000) and Northwalk (763-WALK) are nighttime walking services which provide escorts within 20 minutes of either the Undergraduate Library or Bursley Hall. Safewalk escorts are available 8 p.m.–2:30 a.m, Sunday–Thursday, and 8–11:30 p.m. Friday–Saturday. Northwalk escorts are available 8 p.m.–1:30 a.m. Sunday–Thursday and 8–11:30 p.m. Friday–Saturday.
Hospitals Shuttles provide dedicated transportation from several locations on Medical Campus to your vehicle parked at either the Fuller-Mitchell or Glazier Way Commuter lots. Rides are available Monday–Friday until 2 a.m.
The Medical Campus Nite Ride program offers free rides to any destination within the Ann Arbor city limits for medical campus faculty, staff and students. Rides may be requested by calling 936-7890. A University identification card is required.
Open Parking
Many parking areas throughout the system have reduced hours of enforcement to provide safer parking options after normal business hours. These areas may be identified by referring to signs posted at the entrance to each lot and structure.
Recently, new areas on Central Campus were included. They are Church Structure, Thompson Structure, East University Lot S6 (SEB) and Thompson Street Lot W13 (SAB), where enforcement now ends at 6 p.m. and resumes at 5 a.m. [Note: Signs at these locations will be changed in the next few weeks.]
Who Funds the Parking System?
Many of you have voiced surprise that the parking system is self-supporting. The following revenue sources are projected for 1994–95:
| Staff Paid Permits | 44% |
| University Contribution | 11% |
| Total Staff Paid | 55% |
| Student Permits | 1% |
| Visitor Parking | 38% |
| Contractor Parking | 1% |
| Special Events Parking | 2% |
| Other | 3% |
| Total | 100% |
| Staff Paid Permits | $4,916,672 | 44% |
| University Contribution | 1,172,240 | 11% |
| Student Permits | 138,090 | 1% |
| Visitor Parking | 38% | |
| Guest Permits | 363,450 | |
| Cashier Ops | 435,641 | |
| Meter | 1,165,647 | |
| M18 | 2,302,523 | |
| Contractor Parking | 126,878 | 1% |
| Special Events Parking | 197,808 | 2% |
| Other | 3% | |
| LZ | 83,243 | |
| Leased | 321,400 |
Holiday Parking for Fuller-Mitchell and Glazier Way Parkers
The holiday season will soon be here. For most of us, that means the enjoyment of an extended break. But for others, the beat goes on.
Reduced Rate parking permits will be honored again this year in the surface lot on the site of Old Main Hospital (M1) and in the Mott Parking Structure (M22). This option is available beginning Friday, Dec. 23 at 5 p.m. through Tuesday, Jan. 3 at 6 a.m. due to the interruption in shuttle service. (See Transportation Services: Holiday Changes article above.)
Commuter permit holders who wish to park in these areas must purchase a permit. Permits are available from the Parking Services office at a cost of $9 and may be purchased by mail using Visa or MasterCard, or by mailing your check, payable to the University of Michigan, to Parking Services, 508 Thompson Street 2414.
From the Parking Services Staff…
Wishing everyone peace and joy this holiday season, and a safe and happy new year
