University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss Taking Steps to Improve Campus Parking, Housing
4/17/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 17, 2009
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - While The University of Southern Mississippi moves forward to improve campus housing and parking, it is also taking steps to minimize inconveniences for students, employees and visitors.
To help alleviate the parking crunch brought on by construction projects in the northeast quadrant of campus, the university already has constructed a 336-space gravel parking lot just north of Hillcrest Residence Hall and is planning to add another 220 spaces by converting Loyalty Field to a temporary gravel lot. Located on the east side of campus, Loyalty Field has traditionally been used for tailgating during football season. It is bordered by the U.S. Hwy. 49 west access road, Oseola McCarty Hall and the Trent Lott National Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development.
When the university began construction in March on the new 864-bed Century Park Residential Community on the north side of campus, approximately 500 residential and commuter parking spaces were displaced. In addition, a proposed parking garage could take another 300 spaces out of the university's inventory during construction.
Southern Miss officials plan to move ahead with the Loyalty Field project and the proposed 1,200-space parking garage as soon as possible pending the IHL Board of Trustees' final approval in May. Construction on the parking garage could begin sometime this summer.
"Campus parking and housing are two very important issues for students," said J.R. Robinson, Student Government Association president. "Anytime the university can make upgrades to either one of these, I think it always serves the best interests of the student body."
These improvements will have a positive impact on the campus for years to come says Richard Giannini, director of athletics. "We have been working closely with the Physical Plant to ensure that our football fans will continue to have the same kind of quality game day experiences they have traditionally enjoyed," said Giannini.
Giannini says this fall Loyalty Field will still be able to accommodate some tailgaters around the perimeter. "In addition, there are several additional green space areas on campus which can accommodate more tailgaters," said Giannini.
Among these areas are Pride Field, just east of the Payne Center; south of the Payne Center to Montague Street; and the green space bordered by the Walker Science Building, the Power House Restaurant, the Hub and the George Commons Building. Parking around Reed Green Coliseum will provide additional grass tailgating opportunities as well.
"While this change to Loyalty Field is temporary, we envision a permanent solution that will be tailgating friendly for the future while contributing to the overall vision for the campus and its mission," said Joe Morgan, chief financial officer. "We ask for patience during a time of exciting progress for Southern Miss."
Among other parking changes football fans will see on game day this fall are these. --Motor home parking has been moved to the Payne Center parking lot just south of Fourth Street. --Some Eagle Club patron parking has been moved or expanded to areas including a new gravel lot north of the Hillcrest Residence Hall adjacent to U.S. Hwy. 49 and at Elam Arms on Hardy Street. -- Assigned car parking and tailgating spaces will be placed along Pride Field in the Payne Center Lot No. 13 and along Golden Eagle Avenue.
Information about the master facility plan for the Hattiesburg campus can be accessed online at this link: http://projects.sasaki.com/usm/worktodate.html. It was officially approved by the IHL Board of Trustees in March 2008.
- Story courtesy of Southern Miss Marketing and Public Relations
