Cal State Fullerton Takes Systemwide Lead on Parking Upgrade

Project Improves Access and Pathways of Pedestrian Travel

December 17, 2007

By Pam McLaren

Cal State Fullerton has embarked on a multiyear project to upgrade parking for disabled persons and make it easier for all campus members and visitors as they walk from the parking areas into the campus interior. It is the first campus within the California State University to start such an effort.

The estimated $300,000, three-phase project will not only increase the number of DP parking spaces and add new signage, said Michael Smith, director of design and construction, but also “redistributes the accessible parking for more convenient access to the campus.”

Earlier this month, Smith made a presentation before his peers about the project at the CSU Chancellor’s Office in Long Beach.

Part of the drive is to make sure that parking on the campus complies with the latest Americans with Disabilities Act and State of California Title 24 requirements. Design and Construction worked closely with Paul Miller, director of Disabled Student Services, to ensure that the project incorporated the best interests of students, faculty and staff members and visitors with disabilities. “These plans were approved by the division of the state architect as an approved master plan for DP parking and paths of travel,” said Miller. “This is a culmination of our overall commitment for full access to the campus.”

As part of regular maintenance, Cal State Fullerton has periodically checked to make sure that the proper number of spaces are allocated for the disabled, said Smith, and that the physical location of the spaces is easily accessible for those with physical challenges.

“We’re looking for a smarter-better way of allotting parking spaces, locating crosswalks and curb cut outs, etc. to better serve not only those with disabilities but the entire campus community,” said Smith.

Previously, universities were required to locate handicapped parking spaces in each parking lot on campus. “That used to mean we were required to place DP spaces in parking lots such as Lots A & G (on the north end of campus) that were inconvenient because of their location far away from the campus core,” Smith said. That requirement has changed so that DP spaces are located closer to the campus center, making it easier for those individuals to reach their classes and department offices.

Effective this week, the southern portion of Parking Lot F — located just north of the Mihaylo Hall construction site on the campus’s southeast corner — will be closed as part of the Accessible Parking Upgrade Project. Work on the project is expected to be completed before the start of the spring semester (Jan. 17). Other parking areas will be completed over a period of two years, Smith estimates, to minimize the disruption on the campus.

“The work we’re doing is like updating the master plan for parking,” said Smith. “When we’re done it will be easier for people with disabilities to park, enter the campus and get to where they’re going. When the project is completed, we’ll actually exceed ADA/Title 24 requirements.”