When the five parking lots on WKU’s campus that are under reconstruction this summer are completed, they will be environmentally friendly.
The projects will not only provide decorative landscaping developments throughout campus, but also build new a path for parking because the lots help benefit the environment. Developments include a reflective lot coating that reduces absorbed heat and releases it back into the atmosphere and permeable asphalt that reduces storm water runoff by allowing the water to run back into the ground.
The redevelopment of the lots began on May 18, when construction workers closed the Adams Street, Chestnut Street North, Mimosa, Pearce-Ford Tower and University Boulevard lots for the summer.
“This was a first time opportunity to implement new parking lot designs that are environmental friendly,” said Dr. Jennifer Tougas, director of WKU Parking and Transportation Services.
These new lots will preserve the environment and reduce WKU’s carbon footprint. The pervious pavement allows the water to go through instead of running off of it and will reduce the amount of oil and sediments washed into public water.
Capital Construction Project Manager Dan Chaney said, “What we are able to do is implement some measures to filter out water with pervious pavements that go to stone section underneath and let it infiltrate into the ground.”
All existing surfaces have been stripped by the removal of previous surface gravel, asphalt and various concrete on all lots for a full depth reconstruction. The Chestnut lot will reduce the storm water runoff by 41 percent; the PFT lot will grow from 376 spaces to 386 spaces and concrete and asphalt will be replaced with grassy areas between rows; 50 additional parking spaces will available at the Adams Street lot; and all four lots will result in a net gain of 276 spaces.
“These lots were in dire need of repair, and we wanted to be as environmental friendly as possible and it’s great to feel like we are being a leader in the state,” Chaney said. “We are leading the way with parking and those who haven’t started won’t be far behind.”
College campuses nationwide are taking part in the trend of becoming environmental friendly. WKU is working on multiple projects that include adding more parking spaces across campus that are environmental friendly. The new parking lots have a completion date that includes being finished before the first day of classes on Aug. 31.
“When students come back in the fall it will be a very different campus for them,” Tougas said.
Contact: Jennifer Tougas at (270) 745-8746.
