New parking program allows for parking upgrades

St. Cloud State is instituting a new parking program beginning July 1.

Aging parking lots and a need for improved safety have spurred the development of a new parking program on campus beginning July 1.

Parking and Transportation announced the new program for 2016-17 at the Annual Public Hearing April 7.

The new parking program features new evening/weekend and community parking permit options, reduced pay lot rates on evenings and weekends and a 24-hour, all-week permit requirement in campus parking lots.

The new requirements will help St. Cloud State Parking and Transportation cover the cost of repairs and improvements needed for campus lots, estimated at an additional $150,000 annually.

Parking and Transportation is implementing this new program with the intent of adjusting it as needed.

As responsible stewards of a public institution, St. Cloud State University needs to assure self-sustainability in its parking program. Parking fees must pay for parking maintenance and updates on campus, said Jenn Super, Public Safety Department associate director.

During this initial year, Parking and Transportation will assess the access that the new parking program provides and will evaluate and adjust based on the impact on campus stakeholders.

Features of the new parking program include:

Pay lot and 4th Avenue Parking Ramp spaces can be paid for via credit card or smartphone app.

• Pay lot evening rates will begin at 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. with a cost of $3 for the evening in all pay lots and the 4^th Avenue Parking ramp.
• The reduced evening rate will continue to be available to students parking in the Miller Pay lot from 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. weekdays to allow students accessing the 24-hour computer lab a reduced parking rate.
• The pay lots and 4^th Avenue Parking Ramp will offer a reduced rate of $5 per day on weekends.
• Beginning July 1, free parking will be available in V and L lots evenings after 6 p.m. and weekends.
• A $66 evening and weekend pass will give students access to any on campus parking lot after 3 p.m. each week day and all weekend long. The passes will be sold by semester.
• Community permits will be available for purchase by community members who frequently visit campus at a cost of $80 for an annual permit or $45 for a half year (July 1-Dec. 31 and Jan. 1-June 30).
• Campus organizations that host events should contact the Public Safety Department to coordinate event parking. Options are available including reserving event parking for a fee; these rates vary between time of day and day of the week.

All permit holders will continue to have the option to park in any permitted lot after 3 p.m. weekdays and all weekend long under the new parking program.

Free parking will continue be available for select events designated by Parking and Transportation that draw a large number of visitors to campus, such as Huskies 1st Four move-in days and commencement.

To make purchasing parking services and paying fines easier for students, employees and visitors, several other payment options have been updated. Parking citations can be paid at the Public Safety Department as well as at Business Services.

Pay lot and 4^th Avenue Parking Ramp spaces can be paid for via credit card or smartphone app, and students can purchase permits via their student account.

Learn more about the new parking program in this story by UTVS.

What about Athletics? 

Athletics has been contributing to parking since 2014-15, so free parking for fans attending athletics events will be available.

St. Cloud State Athletics is committed to the fan experience so they have elected to continue the same financial commitment to parking as they have since FY14.

Fans will experience only minor changes to parking with little or no impact to their overall experience.

For the second year, hockey season ticket holders will have the exclusive opportunity to purchase season parking passes ensuring close, available parking on all game nights.