A previous version of this story stated that “the newest extension to R-1 (Kite Hill) has added space for commuters to park in order to accommodate the loss of space,” and that the lot “added approximately 430 spots for commuters.” This is incorrect, as only east resident permit holders will be able to park in this extension. The Tiger regrets this error and has since corrected it.
Both Clemson Parking and Transportation Services and the city of Clemson have recently announced updates to the parking experience, with adjustments to on-street parking and gameday parking availability, as well as new additions to student and employee parking on campus.
One of the new additions is a $79 million parking garage. Clemson Parking is still early in the design stage and has no tentative date for when the construction will either begin or be completed, according to University Facilities. Within the parking garage, there will be intended parking for employees, commuters and visitors.
“The total cost is expected to be $79 million for 1,200 spaces,” Todd Barnette, chief facilities officer of Clemson Facilities, told The Tiger in an interview.
After losing commuter spaces in the Brooks Center for the Performing Arts last year for employee spots, a new commuter lot was added (C-4), where the R-2 parking lot was previously located.
The newest extension to R-1 (Kite Hill) has added space for east residents to park in order to accommodate the loss of space from transforming R-2 to C-4. This $4.2 million lot added approximately 430 new spots for starting at the beginning of the fall 2024 semester, alongside “an easier connection from an outer area of campus and a connection to the newly installed multi-modal path,” according to Clemson News. East resident permit holders will be able to park in this extension.
“We did convert employee spaces in E-38 located on Nu Street to commuter parking spaces, which are now labeled C-13,” Dan Hofmann, the director of parking services, said in regards to the new commuter parking.
In addition to the spaces added on east campus for commuters, Clemson Parking announced that they added an extension to the C-1 commuter lot to help with overflow parking on their Instagram on Sept. 17.
“We have no definitive plans for any major changes other than potentially opening up the P-5 lots off of Highway 76 parking spaces for additional Park N Ride parking spaces,” Hofman stated.
With many ongoing construction projects around campus, parking for the 2024 football season has also experienced some changes.
Lot 3-J near Jervey Gym is closed due to renovations, alongside lot 23, which has been replaced by construction for the upcoming Forestry and Environment Conservation building, according to Greenville News. Lot 8 has been condensed to hold 40 spaces because of work on the Advanced Materials Innovation Complex, and lot C-1 is now available only for IPTAY members.
In addition to campus parking updates, the city of Clemson is working to expand the College Avenue corridor.
City officials also conducted a study into several issues, including increasing the width of sidewalks, promoting safe bicycle traffic and public transit, addressing private vehicle traffic and cut-through traffic, improving streetscape appearance and increasing pedestrian safety and plaza, according to Greenville News. The city is also considering removing on-street parking if building a new parking deck proves possible.
However, eliminating parking spots depends on “parking spaces being developed within the existing ROW and the impact of the new parking ordinance/meters going online in the spring,” city Mayor Robert Halfacre told Greenville News.
