Although there are a few finishing touches to make, the upper level of West Virginia Universitys Mountainlair parking garage will reopen Friday, Jan. 7.

WVU officials decided to reopen the upper level for the spring semester, making 240 short-term spaces available for returning students, said Bob Roberts, director of public safety and transportation.

Most of the permit parking spaces on the lower level will convert to short-term parking as well after 6 p.m. daily to accommodate students with night classes, Roberts said.

The garage closed in July to undergo renovation. Improvements included concrete repairs on the second story, new lighting on both levels and renovations to the ventilation system.

The lower level, which provides 210 spaces for permit holders, reopened in November.

The contractor still needs to install what is called a membrane on the upper level floor, Roberts said. This membrane is a rubber seal between the floors concrete base and asphalt coating. It prevents de-icing materials from seeping into the concrete, prolonging the life of the repairs.

Workers have applied a temporary seal to protect the new concrete during the spring term, Roberts added. The lower level will close for about a month after the semester is over to complete the unfinished work.

Short-term rates in the garage will be half-hour, 25 cents; one hour, 50 cents; 1.5 hours, $1; two hours, $1.50; 2.5 hours, $2; three hours, $2.50; four hours, $4; five hours, $5; six hours, $6; nine hours, $7; and 10 hours, $8.

The garage repairs are part of a two-pronged project that also includes renovations to the Mountainlair plaza. The new plaza will sport a fresh artificial playing turf, basketball court, terraced walkways, increased lighting, and table width=100%s and seating situated among shade trees and shrubbery when it reopens in the fall.