UK Transportation Master Planning Continues Through Summer 2015

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 21, 2015) — Work on the University of Kentucky’s Transportation Master Plan (TMP) is ongoing. The TMP aims to improve access and mobility to, from, and around campus for all members of the UK community, and work on this initiative will continue throughout the summer months. The university remains committed to sharing draft recommendations and soliciting feedback from the campus community. Despite the pace of the planning process, no major changes in permit allocation or pricing models will be implemented for the coming academic year. However, there is a tremendous amount of work underway to ensure the university continues to meet the access needs of the campus community.

TMP Ongoing Planning Efforts:

Over the past three years, the university has invested — or is about to begin construction on — $1.7 billion in a campus transformation unlike any other in higher education.  “Along with these incredible opportunities, we know that the campus transformation also provides challenges,” said Eric N. Monday, UK’s executive vice president for finance and administration. 

Over the past many months, there has been a comprehensive process of gathering information and input regarding the challenges and opportunities for transportation and mobility on campus.  Based on the feedback received to date and their analysis, Sasaki and Associates will submit draft recommendations and an associated financial plan to UK over the summer.  The university will then have the opportunity to provide further feedback and revisions, with the goal of finalizing the plan during the fall semester.

“The university will continue to foster an open dialogue with the campus community throughout this process,” Monday said. ”We want to reach as many people as possible who are affected by campus transportation.”

No Major Permit Allocation or Pricing Changes for Academic Year 15-16:

Given the planned timing for the completion of the TMP, there will be no major changes to parking permit allocation or pricing for the coming year. As recently noted in a communication from President Capilouto regarding the FY16 budget, parking rates will increase by only a modest $1 per month this coming year for most permit types.

Planned Improvements for Academic Year 15-16:

While the plan will not be finalized until this fall and implementation of the TMP will be phased over the ensuing months and years, the university is not waiting to make improvements to campus transportation and mobility.  For example, several projects are underway to increase parking supply for this fall, including:

• Expansion of the Commonwealth Stadium Orange Lot (~500 spaces)
• Construction of the Reynolds Lot at the northwest end of Scott Street (~230 spaces)
• Addition of spaces at Commonwealth Stadium through design efficiencies (~200+ spaces)
• Expansion of the Linden Walk Lot (~36 spaces)
• Construction of the new Greek Park Lot at the southeast end of Rose Lane (~35 spaces)

Moreover, the university is also exploring options to improve transit service and expand transportation alternatives.

History of Outreach and Feedback and Call for Ongoing Involvement:

The campus community has been heavily involved in the TMP planning process from the beginning. At the end of January, UK hosted two public forums to receive feedback from the university community. A representative from Sasaki and Associates presented a timeline for the plan, answered questions from the audience and noted the feedback that audience members provided.

Sasaki and Associates returned to the campus in late March to host a second round of public forums and to present preliminary solutions for the campus community to consider. These concepts were highly informed by community feedback.

Videos of all forums are can be accessed by clicking the links below.

• Wednesday, January 28th, in the Center Theater at the Student Center
• Thursday, January 29th, in the Pavilion A Auditorium at Chandler Hospital
• Thursday, March 26th, in the Pavilion A Auditorium at Chandler Hospital
• Thursday, March 26th, in the Student Center room 230

The planning team has also been receiving feedback on these important issues from the TMP online survey — developed and administered with the University of Kentucky Transportation Center — which yielded more than 5,000 responses — and through the EVPFA website (www.uky.edu/evpfa).

Members of the community are encouraged to visit the EVPFA website throughout the summer to stay apprised of TMP progress, review draft plans and provide valuable feedback.

Additional feedback and input can be sent to evpfa@uky.edu.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sarah Geegan, (859)257-5365; sarah.geegan@uky.edu