New back-in parking at Washington Apartments a first on campus
In an effort to be “pedestrian-friendly,” diagonal parking spots on Ottawa, Calumet and Ojibway are now requiring drivers to back-in.
The three courts, which now form a one-way street entering at Ottawa and exiting at Ojibway, surround Washington Apartments and the new Education and Human Services Building.
“The project is piloting back-in angle parking, which is a pedestrian friendly concept that CMU and the city of Mount Pleasant learned about last winter when working with a consultant on ‘walkable’ communities,” said Linda Slater, director of plant engineering and planning.
Other cities, including Ann Arbor, are installing this type of parking, she said. Many places are testing the new parking concept out and are proving back-in parking to be safer and easier, she said.
“I agree that back-in angle parking will afford the driver a better view of oncoming cars, pedestrians and bikers as they pull out of the parking space,” said Steve Lawrence, associate vice president of Facilities Management.
The project, which was necessary because of the roads’ poor condition, is trying to incorporate pedestrians and drivers into a safe and welcoming environment, Slater said.
“The new changes on campus will definitely result in a more pedestrian-friendly atmosphere,” Lawrence said.
FM additionally added raised crosswalks, bike lanes, a bus stop and an entrance and exit to the new lot 56, which will be between the EHS building and Washington Street, Slater said.
“Four Washington Apartments were demolished for the construction of the parking lot, and construction is scheduled to be completed by Sept. 11,” Lawrence said.
