Project History
The feasibility of constructing a parking ramp to alleviate parking concerns and better serve visitors has been considered several times during the past 15 years. The most recent consultant study for such a project was in 1998. As in the past, the conclusions were that the construction and operation of a ramp was not financially viable within the university's parking operations budget. General university funds from the state are not used for this type construction.
Conversations with members of Congress and their staff in early 2000 made UNI staff aware of a federal funding source for multimodal facilities, which included transit functions. This source funds up to 80 percent of project costs, leaving a 20 percent match requirement.
In fall 2000, staff from UNI, the Waterloo Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MET) and the city of Cedar Falls met to discuss doing a feasibility study for a multimodal facility. The fiscal year 2001 appropriations bill completed in October 2000 included $537,000 from the Federal Transit Administration for a multimodal facility at UNI.
In early 2001, a task force was formed including UNI students, faculty and staff; MET representatives; and city of Cedar Falls officials to review feasibility study proposals. A contract for the study was awarded to KA Associates of Wichita, Kan.
The study included UNI meetings with faculty, staff and students in March 2001; and an e-mail survey to faculty and staff in April 2001. Evaluation criteria included FTA requirements to enable expanded transit and multimodal functions. At that time, there were plans for the facility to serve as a Greyhound Bus hub. Access to major roadways and space for bus entrances and turnaround were factors. The campus master plan for facilities also was taken into consideration. Ultimately, the study recommended four sites for UNI Cabinet consideration. A site south of University Avenue and east of the Industrial Technology Center (ITC) was initially selected.
The total project was estimated at $18 million, with $15 million coming from federal funds. The site selected was expected to have capacity for 1,200 vehicles. Projected operational costs for the associated transit function were expected to require a significant increase in student fees.
Additional federal appropriations were $1.1 million in fiscal year 2003; $3.4 million in fiscal year 2004; $3 million in fiscal year 2005; and $4.825 million in fiscal year 2006. The remaining $2.175 million will be sought in fiscal year 2007.
Since the original feasibility study in 2001, several factors have changed, which led to reconsideration of project site and scope. These included:
- Discontinuation of the Greyhound Bus service
- Additional parking construction planned in conjunction with the new Business & Community Services building, McLeod Center and Human Performance Complex projects
- Board of Regents' policy limitations on student-fee increases
- Significant increases in construction costs
- State budget cuts
- Declining enrollment
A survey of faculty and staff was conducted in October 2004 about preferred location for the facility. The preferred location was the Gilchrist parking lot, but there were concerns about the loss of Gilchrist A parking and aesthetic effects on the campus environment.
With that in mind, the decision was made to locate the structure in the metered visitor lot, just north of the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center (GBPAC). Commitments have been made to require the design to address noise and to coordinate the look of the facility with other campus buildings.
Construction costs have escalated dramatically since this process began. Given these increases and the changes in planned parking availability, the structure is now projected to accommodate 600 vehicles.
The goal is to make the entire project a model of "green" operations, which encourage transit and bicycle-trail use. The plan is expected to include storage space for bicycles. The transit system also is expected to include a peripheral campus loop, as well as intra-campus routes. Transit vehicles will be selected according to environmental friendliness and energy efficiency.
The original feasibility study has been updated and submitted to FTA in Kansas City. The regional FTA administrator and staff visited the UNI campus and expressed their support for the project.
The architectural and engineering design process began in November 2005. A program statement and business plan will be presented to the Board of Regents in 2006. Construction would begin after BOR approval and final allocation of federal funds. Construction would take about one year.
In conjunction with plans for the multimodal facility, long-range plans for UNI parking operations are being updated consistent with campus master plan goals to promote a pedestrian campus and minimize internal vehicular traffic. Campus input will be solicited through focus groups and surveys in conjunction with the ongoing Campus Conversation program.