News 14 Carolina's Deborah Tuff is on the scene with more.
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. --- As Pamela Garcia talks with her friends in front of UNC Chapel Hill's Student Union, she says it’s a great school that lacks one thing -- plenty of parking.
"There aren't a lot of spaces on campus and it takes us a long time to park and there's a lot of students that have a need for parking spaces," said Garcia.
Now school officials may be answering that call.
As part of what school officials are calling its “Bell Tower development,” a 710-car parking deck could be in the works. Plans call for a walkway to be constructed in front of the parking deck to the campus’s new central park and Medical Drive.
The parking deck ties in to a larger plan, which includes a 25,000-ton chilled water plant and a 210,000 sq. ft. science building.
"It'll let the community function while there are other big events going on at the same time," added senior Emmanuel Bello.
Commented Erica Ludi, "I think that'll be fine, I think we need more parking spaces. Right now I park in Cobb Deck which is right by my dorm ... but I think it would be nice to have more parking spaces on campus."
As part of what school officials are calling its “bell tower development,” a 710-car parking deck could be in the works.
Joy Kelly doesn't have her car on campus, but has friends who do.
"I definitely think we need a new parking deck. Parking space is very limited on campus, a lot of students don't have a place to park so I definitely think one is needed," said Kelly.
And though Garcia says she's for more parking, she's not for more cars on campus.
"I also think it's a bad idea because it promotes more cars on campus. I would hope that there's a better transport system so that people avoided bringing cars to campus," said Garcia.
Either way, the plans aren't official yet.
A preliminary design has been presented to the school’s Board of Trustees, but they aren't voting on it yet.
If they give the project a green light, construction will begin Feb. 2009.