ETSU committee backs parking master-plan steps, proposes $80 infrastructure fee and optional $50 student permit

Mr. Ross presented the results of a consultant-led parking and transportation study for East Tennessee State University, saying the campus has not raised parking revenue in six years while maintenance costs “have tripled and in many cases quadrupled.” The study, Ross said, found more than 1,500 empty spaces during a peak observation and roughly 700 empty stalls in a single peripheral lot at that time, leading the team to conclude that total supply is not the primary issue on campus.

To address growing maintenance and preservation needs, Ross laid out a three-part proposal: reclassify the current $70 student access charge as an $80 infrastructure fee to fund roads, lighting, trolleys and reserves; offer an optional student parking permit at $50 per semester; and increase faculty/staff permit pricing (the example cited moved faculty/staff permits from $80 to $120). Ross said those elements together could generate about $3.5 million a year, including approximately $2.1 million from the $80 infrastructure fee and $900,000 from permit sales.

Ross emphasized the revenue would be used to create a designated reserve for ongoing maintenance and future projects. He noted current discretionary funds for parking and transportation were small—about $144,000 at the start of the year—and could not cover needed repaving or median work (he cited a $900,000 estimate to repave the street in front of Bergen Dossett). “We relied on reserves,” Ross said, “and the revenue has to match.”

Trustees asked operational questions about bonds, trolley service frequency and accessibility. Ross said perimeter trolleys run about every 15 minutes at peak times and that campus and JC Transit coordination lets students show ID to access city transit. On ADA issues he acknowledged ongoing compliance work—curb cuts, elevator improvements and a call/text pick-up service—and cautioned about misuse of ADA permits.

Trustees also raised communication and equity questions about the optional $50 permit. Trustee Fry Clark asked if students would notice the change; another trustee said the $10 infrastructure increase “will not get noticed,” but the $50 permit “is gonna hit a little different.” Ross and other presenters said the $50 fee is optional and intended for maintenance rather than adding immediate parking capacity; they also described outreach to student groups, student government and town halls already held to explain the proposals.

Next steps: Ross said the parking recommendations are part of the university’s tuition-and-fee package and will be included in the materials shared with the full board; a master plan is slated for a fuller presentation in September.