Residents of Morgantown may see a few less students around the week of March 25West Virginia Universitys annual Spring Breakbut a bit more activity than usual in the student-populated Sunnyside area of town.
Thats when demolition is set to begin on six dilapidated properties located on seven parcels of land along University Avenue, First and Carson Streets to make room for a 150-space paved University parking lot. The 0.45-acre site is just up from Campus Drive and the new Life Sciences Building. The expected completion date for the lot is late Augustin time for fall semester.
The property, owned by William Morlino, is being purchased by WVU for $1.1 million, following the demolition work.
Approval for the acquisition was given last July by WVU s Board of Governors. At the time, WVU s Vice President Scott Kelley told the board that the purchase and eventual demolition of these older rental units would enhance and”change the dynamics of that part of town and campus”and dovetail nicely with WVU s Master Plan.
Since last summer, new private apartments have sprung up in Sunnyside and WVU s new academic buildingpart of a 10-year, $250 million capital improvement projectis nearing completion.
It will take from 2-4 weeks for the property to be demolished and the debris hauled away, according to Joe Fisher, associate vice president for facilities and services. Once cleared, the engineering work will begin to determine if it will be a sloping or tiered lot.
Parking Office officials hope to offer the spaces to approximately 140 employees that are on a waiting list for Downtown Campus parking slots. The lot will also accommodate employees who will be moving into the new life sciences building and others working in facilities just blocks away.
“Our goal is to have parking there by the start of the fall semester to coincide with the opening of the life sciences building in June,”Fisher said.”We want it to be an attractive lot, with nice landscaping and, of course, proper safety lighting.”
The price to park in the new Sunnyside lot will remain the same as other WVU paved lots$10 a month until July 1when new rates are expected to go into effect. WVU is forming a 14-member Parking Committee to review a proposed parking plan and new rate structure. University officials will review recommendations from that panel before any rate changes go into effect, Fisher said.
From March 25 through possibly mid-April, there may be some minor street inconvenience, Fisher noted, while trucks haul debris from the area.
Cost of the new lot is approximately $275,000.
Fisher said WVU also has the first right of refusal on five adjoining parcels on Carson Street and Campus Drive, also owned by Morlino. That lot may eventually include some visitor and student parking.