Washtenaw Community College board hires contractor to build new parking garage on campus
Washtenaw Community College will pay $11 million for the construction of a new parking garage.
The college’s Board of Trustees gave the project its unanimous approval Tuesday afternoon, despite protests from four campus community members who said the garage isn’t needed and is an unnecessary financial risk.
Artist's rendering of the proposed parking garage.
Plans courtesy of Rich & Associates and WCC
The 470-space garage will be located behind the Morris Lawrence and Occupational Education buildings.
The Ann Arbor Township Planning Commission gave its blessing to the project earlier this month, stipulating that WCC must put about $140,000 into an escrow account for invasive species removal and natural features restoration projects to help offset the loss of 468 deciduous shade trees that will be cut down as part of the project and not replanted.
The destruction of a significant number of trees on campus was among concerns raised by a quartet of staff members during the public comment period at the beginning of the meeting.
The staff members also pointed out that the latest enrollment numbers show a 4 percent decline in head count and a 5 percent decline in credit hours for the winter semester.
That drop, combined with a reduction in aid from the state, could squeeze the college’s budget just as it has to pay debt service on the building.
“You’re going to be locking yourself into paying,” said Philip Geyer, a faculty member in the business and computer technology department.
Board members did not respond to those comments, instead focusing on the selection of Colasanti to do the work.
Trustee Mark Freeman was on the panel that screened the bidders and recommended Colasanti to the full board. He said Colasanti ranked high in the panel's evaluation of the bidders
‘They were essentially tied for No. 1 (in the ranking of the companies) and gave us the lowest price. It was hard not to pick them.”
Comments
Jay Thomas
Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 5:32 a.m.
It was so nice with the trees. :(
loves_fall
Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 1:51 p.m.
Don't forget the poison ivy. Aren't they building it on the Pine Woods land (or was that just someone's sensational flyer with the angry car)? I remember doing a biology lab on native Michigan plants there. Every other page was something like, "Turn to your left. Observe the poison ivy. Now walk to the next marker point. Be careful not to step in the poison ivy. See the tree to the right? Look carefully at its leaves. Notice that they look like poison ivy. The tree is actually dead. This poison ivy is so big that it looks like the tree has leaves." I feel sorry for the folks who have to clear it. :)
loves_fall
Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 3:10 a.m.
Parking at WCC has been nightmarish for a long time, to the point where working folks can't take daytime/lunch hour classes because parking takes at least a full hour. Are there other ways to solve the crunch? Maybe. Making staff bus in seems like it might work, but it would be tough to enforce and I'm not sure they are the factor driving the cramped conditions. I don't see any major waste in building a parking structure, and I'm looking forward to the day it opens.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 2:12 a.m.
Cash, The only thing that WCC has done for the last 20 years is to ask for millage renewal (they are called "increases" due to the way that the Headlee Amendment is written, but in fact those votes simply restored the millage to where it was when it was initially approved). I'll bet you a bottle of 12-year old Scotch that there will not be a request for a millage increase (except to restore the millage to its start point) from WCC the next time the millage comes for a vote. You in? Good Night and Good Luck
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 4:19 p.m.
Sorry to hear that Cash. Was looking forward to collecting. Good Night and Good Luck
Cash
Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 10:49 a.m.
Sorry Ed, I don't drink. Nor do I bet. I'm way too calm, old, and tired, and broke.
katie
Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 1:41 a.m.
They did not need to cut down the trees. They could have built the structure on an existing parking lot. It will uglify a beautiful campus for them to do this. I believe they are cutting down more than deciduous trees as the article states. Why are they not replacing every tree, but instead are removing invasive species? Doesn't make sense to me. While I'm for the invasive removal, I think planting trees is more important. Trees take a long time to grow. I hope they reconsider this decision. While it may work for full time employees to park and shuttle (day employees) one of the problems is that a number of extremely talented part time employees work at WCC as faculty members. The money they are paid is very low if they are teaching a course or two, they do it because they love their fields and like the contact with students. They do it to contribute to the community. The students have the benefit of these folks who work in their fields and are amazing resources. It's a lot to ask someone who works full time and teaches a course or two at WCC to park off campus. These faculty members are also commuters, coming from another job, etc. The majority of faculty are part-time. They are giving a lot for what they are paid. Keep in mind that the majority of time spent in teaching is spent outside the classroom doing preparation and grading.
Cash
Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 12:14 a.m.
Ed, That's not a promise that you can make now is it? No one person, no matter their position at WCC can make that statement.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 11:46 p.m.
"Let's take your idea and run with it....let's triple our taxes" This is a red herring. No one is paying or will pay increased taxes because this parking deck is being built. Take a deep breath and calm down, Cash. Good Night and Good Luck
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 3:23 a.m.
SL: Re-read the posting, carefully this time. It was about HIGHER taxes. No one is saying that tax money won't go into the project. Good Night and Good Luck
Stephen Landes
Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 3:02 a.m.
Wrong, phantom. The construction money comes from somewhere and it isn't because WCC is selling products that people are buying: tuition through personal expenditure, donations, and borrowed money as well as state appropriations support schools like WCC. Once this garage is built it will require operating money and not all of that will come from parking revenue. So, tax money will be required.
Cash
Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 12:15 a.m.
I'm very calm, but thanks for worrying.
Cash
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 11:42 p.m.
Ed, Good idea! Let's take your idea and run with it....let's triple our taxes and spend more money on all campuses in the state....spend, spend, spend! That is all good!! And WCC faculty can continue to park close to their buildings. Everyone is happy.
joe golder
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 11:10 p.m.
EMU are you paying attention to this.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 6:34 p.m.
Let's see: A parking structure that will --make it more convenient for WCC students to attend classes --employ hundreds of construction workers at a time when the state's economy, and especially its construction industry, are floundering --result in local businesses selling material and tools to the companies that are building the structure, thereby enjoying profits and employing even more people. Sounds like a HORRIBLE waste of money [he says as sarcastically as is humanly possible]. Good Night and Good Luck
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 3:02 a.m.
But this isn't that, is it? WCC has had a parking problem for going on a decade. This is a solution. Good Night and Good Luck
Stephen Landes
Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 2:59 a.m.
Digging holes and filling them in could employ thousands, but that doesn't make it a good use of money.
dading dont delete me bro
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 5:38 p.m.
i'll say it pushes $20 m before it's finished. just sayin'. looks a little underbudgeted for all that's involved already.
Cash
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 4:12 p.m.
jb242, When I pay money for something I expect wise use of my resources. That's not emotion. That is a real expectation. It is not being met in higher ed today.
jb242
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 3:56 p.m.
Cash, your response seems purely emotional and drawing line to the UofM administrator story has no bearing on an issue that has been discussed and debated to death by campus administration for years in the making. Believe me when I say WCC exhausted all resources and patiently waited for alternative solutions and creative funding ideas to appear (they didn't) before finally going ahead with this parking garage. I can tell you as a WCC employee, the parking garage IS for students, and not employees. Students drive their cars to WCC like no other campus in town. It is the very definition of a COMMUTER college and we cannot expect them to walk to it from student housing like they can from UofM or EMU. They don't seem to car pool, either. Every semester the college President issues a directive to all WCC staff to use the EMU lot and shuttle to campus in order to allow for more on-campus parking for STUDENTS. This deal with EMU to provide a lot for employees and student overflow is a TEMPORARY deal to benefit students in the short term, it was never a permanent fix. There are also plans to utilize the garage as space for summer conventions and training activies (such as police training and the UA-ITP week), so it won't be an empty shell in the off-semester. And by the way, that EMU lot is nearly a mile down the street from campus. May I ask, is it all that "cushy" for an employee to ask to park within 500 feet of their daily workplace? Not everyone lives near a AATA bus stop and not all employees work a standard 8-5 schedule where they can catch a shuttle bus to an off-campus lot. Yes, it sucks that trees will be cut down, but until most WCC students decide to start walking miles in the snow, I assure you this parking garage is one very necessary eyesore.
MA
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 3:50 p.m.
It is about time!!! WCC parking has been a real challenge for the past several years!! This is a much needed project, and to wait, as some have suggested, would only increase the cost!! When business is better, the prices will rise.
Cash
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 3:44 p.m.
EcoChic, "Additionally, whether or not it is right, most schools prioritize faculty and staff over students. U of M doesn't allow students to park in the best lots - not even graduate students who live off campus. If you want good faculty members at the schools, you have to keep them happy. " Exactly the problem I mentioned. Thank you for reinforcing my earlier comment. The arrogance of higher ed is out of control. Someone please restore some sanity to higher ed.
EcoChicMomma
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 3:36 p.m.
I am a part-time faculty member at WCC, and I can say that parking is an issue. Yes, more people (students and faculty) should use the EMU lot. But for some it is not practical. I often teach 3 hour long classes that begin when the shuttle runs, but ends after it stops. So I arrive when parking on campus is a hassle, but don't have the option of using the EMU lot. This is also an issue for all my students. Also, there are occasions when EMU does not allow us to use their lot due to special events. It is their lot, and, as actionjackson pointed out, they can disallow its use at any time. So while the cost of this structure is an issue, something should be done. Additionally, whether or not it is right, most schools prioritize faculty and staff over students. U of M doesn't allow students to park in the best lots - not even graduate students who live off campus. If you want good faculty members at the schools, you have to keep them happy. Requiring them to park off-campus will not attract good faculty.
Stephen Landes
Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 2:58 a.m.
Seems like a more reasonable approach would be to enhance the bus service. Why doesn't the bus run when it is needed rather than when WCC administration thinks it is convenient for THEM?
Stephen Landes
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 3:26 p.m.
Let's see: one tree lost for each parking space. That's not a reasonable trade. Sounds a lot like U of M and their desire to build a parking structure in a city park. When WCC seeks more money on the ballot they can count my vote in the "NO" column.
Rod Johnson
Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 3:05 a.m.
This is way worse than UM, Steve. UM wants to build a parking structure where a parking lot now. WCC is eliminating a quite lovely forest (not just some random trees), which has a wonderful system of trails in it. I know this thing is going to happen come hell or high water, but I mourn the loss of those woods.
RoboLogic
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 3:18 p.m.
I disagree with those who say it is not needed. Parking at the campus just started to become a small problem in 2005 when I attended, and it seemed to get worse with every subsequent semester. Fast forward 2011 with increased enrollment...Oh yes, it IS needed. But can they afford it right now? That is a legitimate query.
Cash
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 2:52 p.m.
In general, here is my issue: We have been reading for the past week about one public institution paying a large sum of money to an administrator who isn't working there...he is working somewhere else an didn't have enough seniority to even qualify for a medical leave. Now we read about another public institution currently requiring their STUDENTS to park away from campus and use a shuttle and allow their EMPLOYEES to park close to their buildings. Doesn't anyone else see the problem? STUDENTS FIRST! Why is that so hard for administrators and governing boards to grasp? We are not paying our tax money to create cushy environment for administrators/employees. Students first! That is what taxpayers want and we need to start demanding it. Enough of protecting yourselves! No one says public higher education shouldn't exist. But I am saying it should exist for the good of the students, not for the whims of the administrators.
YpsiLivin
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 3:56 p.m.
Someone in my household works at WCC. The employees were told last semester to park in the Rynearson lot. Cash, simply because you say something is false doesn't make it so. Parking has been an issue for WCC since I attended in the early 1990's. At some point, the problem needs to be solved permanently. It isn't going to be solved by asking people to park in a rented parking lot and shuttling them back and forth to the campus for a few hours a day. The college is growing and to keep growing, it needs to expand its parking. The only way to expand parking at the college is to make more parking. You can't just continue to add surface lots if you want to conserve space, preserve the character of the campus and avoid severe runoff problems. It costs WCC $100,000 per year to run the shuttles, which only operate during the day, and only for the first 10 weeks of the semester. Employees who work after 6:00 PM can't use the shuttles, but the parking problem at the college is chronic and spans the entire operating day. Something has to be done. The parking structure is a done deal, Cash. Move on with your life.
Cash
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 3:39 p.m.
Employees are NOT required to park in and use the shuttle. This is not true.
Cash
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 3:38 p.m.
"It was moved by Secretary Williams, seconded by Trustee Freeman, that the Board of Trustees authorize the College administration to proceed with an agreement for use of the parking lot located on Hewitt Road across from Rynearson Stadium, "the Rynearson Lot," not to exceed $50,000 for the entire Fall 2010 semester." IT seems the cost is half of what you quoted.
Cash
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 3:28 p.m.
I would LOVE to see the budget that shows it costs $100,000 per TERM to park at Rynearson!!! Bwahhaaa And WCC does charge students for parking...and for everything else that happens on campus. It is called tuition and fees.
YpsiLivin
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 3:05 p.m.
Cash, You've got it backwards! Employees already use the shuttle to park at Rynearson and last term were required to park there. Second, the shuttles stop running at 6:00 PM, but classes run until 10:00 PM. Evening employees, and those who work later than 6:00 PM have no way to get to or from Rynearson. Third, borrowing space at Rynearson and operating the shuttles costs the college about $100,000 per semester. It's expensive and a temporary solution at best. The college needs more parking, and has needed more parking for at least 15 years. The only way to get more parking is to build more parking. If the College builds the parking structure and reserves most of it for employees, they'll charge employees for parking, which leaves the free surface lots for students. Compare that with other Michigan community colleges (WCCCD, LCC, GRCC) where STUDENTS are charged for parking.
Alan Benard
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 2:21 p.m.
Agreed that faculty -- and more students -- should use the Rynearson lot. However, I never need to. I attend three courses per week in prime time -- 11:30 a.m. and noon. I always find a parking spot near the Lawrence Auditorium, a five-minute walk from any classroom building. Unless there is a specific plan to add more instructional space, and there isn't, I don't see the need for this parking lot. Add to this the fact that supporting individual passenger car use is unsustainable, the cost-per-space for the lot starts in the tens of thousands of dollars-per-space and then continues to be a money pit for maintenance. The WCC board nickels-and-dimes its subsidy for AATA riders, to the point of auditing the use of the $10-per-term passes they used to sell and railing about how many rides not related to campus use took place. Supporting sustainable transportation and supporting the whole lives of the students as they work to retrain for future work should have been this board's priority, but it would rather build an impressive monument to its self.
actionjackson
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 2:16 p.m.
How long will EMU allow parking at their location? That could be compromised overnight with a vote. I attended WCC in the last couple of years. Even though the class was at 7pm you had to be there by 6:30 or earlier to get a parking spot to insure being to class on time. Great move by WCC, much needed parking will be used. Sure sounds better than buying that golf course!
Cash
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 2:33 p.m.
Um, who else uses that lot? It's a huge lot that remains empty except for WCC students who use it. EMU is thrilled to find some revenue there.
jcj
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 1:48 p.m.
@Bill "paying for new parking structure is a drop in the bucket." This is EXACTLY the attitude that got this country into the mess it is in now! The restaurants in this town are full most nights with people that want a steak dinner. Its only $25! Those same people will be trying to figure out how to make the house payment the 1st of the month! It is not a matter of whether the lot is needed or would be nice. The fact is this is NOT the time to proceed with business as usual. There are many people out there that could use a new car but this might be a better time for them to stick with the old one and pay the house payment instead of going into more debt!
jackson72
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 1:21 p.m.
The "us vs. them" argument doesn't hold a drop of water. This parking structure has nothing to do with faculty and staff parking and everything to do with making Washtenaw Community College more accessible for students. WCC is an incredibly important resource in this community, and the fact that this parking structure will make it a more convenient for commuting students that may not have the extra time to park in the EMU lot and ride a bus is worth it. It's just one less barrier (or excuse) for a student or potential student to not pursue their education.
Cash
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 2:10 p.m.
Us vs them? This have everything to do with staff and faculty taking up the parking spaces that should be for students! This is about cost savings. And it is about priorities. The faculty and staff at WCC can take a shuttle. And all of the current parking places taken up by them are now free for students to park in....as it should be. After all it should be STUDENTS FIRST....and all employees should be the ones who park and ride.
Cash
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 1:13 p.m.
Bill, I totally agree about WCC being a valuable resource for the community. That said, I don't think that gives WCC or any school a green light to spend without researching other possibilities. I mean really that kind of thinking is what got us to the state of public education today....tuition keeps rising, taxpayers keep paying more, and the schools keep spending. I realize my opinion isn't popular with WCC employees but sometimes those are the opinions that may be best for students and taxpayers! Just continuous pouring out of our tax dollars doesn't necessarily mean better education. It's just the lazy uncreative way to manage.
Bill
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 12:10 p.m.
@ Cash, when you consider the ROI of WCC within our communities, paying for new parking structure is a drop in the bucket. Besides, College is far more important than K-12; you're attempting to compare apples and oranges. WCC is an opportunity for thousands of displaced workers to retain in new and exciting fields and for others to continue to grow and learn. In addition, has a WCC has a High School on campus as well. Heck, I can't think of a better thing to vote for than the WCC millage!
Cash
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 11:29 a.m.
A lot of money spent because WCC administrators wouldn't require employees (faculty and staff) to park at Rynearson lot and be bussed in to work daily so student could use the parking lots. Remember that when WCC wants more money....which will be coming VERY soon. When times are tough, we expect public schools to tighten their belts and think outside of the box. Instead WCC did the usual...spent more money.