UNC Charlotte Brings in Company To Tackle Campus Parking Crisis

UNC Charlotte has turned to Walter P. Moore and Associates to fix its mounting parking troubles. With student numbers hitting 32,000 this fall, finding a spot has turned into a daily struggle.

The firm will spend six months crafting a fresh plan to fix parking and transit issues through 2034. Students can't park during peak times, and the problem keeps getting worse.

"This is the busiest I've seen parking since before COVID-19," said Nancy Smith, director of Parking and Transportation at Charlotte, according to The Niner Times.

Campus officials count 700 extra cars this term. The crush peaks mid-week when lots fill up fast between morning classes and lunch. Students circle endlessly, hunting for spots that don't exist.

The situation has shocked returning students. "There was never a time I couldn't find a parking spot [in 2023]," said Eric Grunwald, who's spent three years commuting to classes.

By mid-morning, the lots pack tight. Aaron Moore, in his third year, watches spaces vanish before 10 a.m. After that, it's just luck.

The new blueprint will map out smarter ways to move cars and people around campus. Changes will touch everything from walkways to bus routes, aiming to cut the daily chaos.

To ease the crunch, the school bought two properties nearby. The Edge complex and another building will let more students walk to class instead of drive.

Smith points students toward less crowded options. "I would suggest that people park in the outer areas, such as North Deck, CRI Deck, or South Village Deck," she said. These spots stay open when central lots fill up.

Shuttle buses run from these far lots straight to main buildings. Walking might take 10 minutes, but that beats the 30-minute hunt for a closer spot.

While experts draft long-term fixes, the school pushes a simple message: come early, try new spots, or skip the car altogether.