UCF’s downtown parking garage
Crowded campus intends to rely on SunRail, Lynx bike racks and more for space
will be more than just a place to park cars: It will serve as a data collector, using license-plate recognition technology to help operate the facility.
The University of Central Florida’s parking garage for the school’s downtown campus also will serve as a data collector, using license-plate recognition technology to help operate the facility.
New details emerged this week about the $13.5 million garage, which will accommodate 580 vehicles for part of a student body anticipated at 7,700.
With one space for every 13 anticipated students at the new garage, the campus plans to rely on nearby SunRail stations, Lynx bus systems, bike racks and other downtown parking, such as at 600 spaces at the Centroplex garage.
Construction also is underway on a 15-story, $105 million student housing tower.
Besides security cameras and digital parking-space counts, the garage also will have electric charging stations.
The recognition technology will monitor cars and possibly university parking decals, said a UCF spokeswoman. The university is undertaking the campus in partnership with Valencia College.
The garage’s ground floor has been designed for a university store, campus services and storage space. Walker Parking Consultants created the design, which must still be approved. The city calls for screening of parking garages, such as art panels or ivy-covered grids. The parking garage heads to a review committee for the overall Creative Village project next week.
Craig Ustler, the master developer of Creative Village, said he is pleased with what he has seen so far on the garage design.
Often a skeptic on shops and stores planted on the first floor of parking garages, he said this plan makes sense because it can tap thousands of students.
With about 10,000 square feet, the store at the base of the garage will combine the functions of campus bookstore, sundry shop and UCF-related gear dealer. It also will have a small café.
“That will breathe some life into the garage and help make the campus livable for students,” Ustler said.
The entire $60 million project is slated to open in 18 months, in time for the fall semester of 2019.
Plans call for educational disciplines including public administration; architecture; teaching; educational sciences; child, family and community services; health management; criminal justice; and legal studies.