Construction has begun on the first parking garage at the Storrs campus, a 1,030-car facility that will be built on the current Lot 9.

Construction of the five-story garage began last week. It is expected to take only five months to complete, says Larry Schilling, executive director of facilities management. As with all projects of this type, he says, there will be some immediate, short-term disruptions while the garage is being built. Once finished, however, the project will provide a net increase of 750 spaces to UConn's parking stock.

The rock at the corner of North Eagleville and Hillside Roads was moved this week as contruction began on the first parking garage on the Storrs campus. The rock, a favorite of students, will be held in storage until the start of the academic year to give student groups and University officials the chance to discuss an alternate site.

During construction, however, UConn students and staff will lose access to about 280 parking spaces in Lot 9, says William Barrett, director of traffic and transportation services. In the interim, Lot 9A will become employee Lot 9, and graduate assistants have been asked to move to student Lot X, behind lot 9A on Hanks Hill Road. Other parking sites available in the north campus area include spaces along North Eagleville Road and in student lots F, R, and X.

O&G Industries of Torrington, the contracting firm that put more than 1,600 new seats in the Harry A. Gampel Pavilion on budget and one year ahead of schedule, has been selected to build the garage. Schilling says O&G was the low bidder on the project, which came in more than $1 million under budget, at $8.2 million. RAV