Central campus construction results in parking adjustments

Contact: Deanne Puca
Map of Central Neighborhood residence hall construction site.

Entrance and parking limitations are expected to continue through mid-July.

KALAMAZOO—Beginning Monday, April 28, contractors will expand the construction fence currently in place where Western Michigan University's former Bigelow and Hoekje halls were located to continue work on the new Center Neighborhood.

The widened fence area will result in some entrance limitations at the back of the Bernhard Center and parking limitations near Ellsworth Hall. There also will be intermittent lane closures on a stretch of North Dormitory Road behind Ellsworth for a few weeks beginning Monday, May 5, although the road will not be shut down. The fenced areas will be reduced by mid-July, but many areas will be restricted until construction is completed in July 2015.

See a larger map here.

There will no longer be employee parking behind Bernhard. Employees will now park in Lot 41 or the Ellsworth parking structure. For visitors during the construction, there is metered parking in Lots 68 and 69 between Sangren Hall and the Bernhard Center. The metered circle drive in front of the Bernhard Center, or Lot 44, will also be available for campus visitors. After construction, the new Lot 48 will be all metered parking for visitors and designated disability and reserved spaces. Student parking is available in the Ellsworth parking structure.

About the Center Neighborhood

The new Center Neighborhood is one of four new residential neighborhoods planned for campus during the next year. It will be made up of a residence hall built for fall 2015 and also includes nearby Henry Hall and the Hoekje-Bigelow dining room that is in the Bernhard Center. The $48 million, 750-bed residence hall will be targeted at incoming students and will include such features as central but private bath areas maintained by house staff and third-floor social and recreational areas open to all residents.