Finding a parking spot around TCU’s campus is about to get a lot more difficult
TCU’s fall semester will begin Aug. 18 with more than 13,000 students, a record for the university. But with construction having cannibalized approximately 1,200 parking spots, residents in the neighborhoods bordering campus are worried about an influx of vehicles clogging residential streets.
BJ Weber, chairman of the University West Neighborhood Association, gave members a heads up in July about the potential for parking congestion, but he said no one really knows yet if it will be an issue. Most of the streets in University West are zoned for resident-only parking or have parking restrictions during school hours, Weber said.
He urged residents to contact their Fort Worth police patrol officer if they notice students parking where they shouldn’t.
With consistent enforcement, Weber believes any initial problems will subside.
”Town-gown” tensions over parking are nothing new for TCU and the neighborhoods surround the campus on nearly all sides. In recent years, as the university has expanded its footprint, the West Berry commercial corridor has exploded in popularity, and zoning changes have allowed for more multi-resident dwellings.
TCU growth and construction
In April, TCU announced a $500 million expansion plan that includes more student housing and a mixed-use development on West Berry Street. It’s part of TCU’s overall goal to increase enrollment to nearly 15,000 students over the next 10 years.
Construction on the new facilities began this summer. According to a TCU 360 report, nine campus parking lots have closed over the past few months to make room for development.
Along West Berry Street, a $82.9 million mixed-use development, named Morado on Berry, will add 780 beds for students and 25,000 square feet of street-level retail space, “further transforming Berry Street into a vibrant, walkable corridor and extending the valuable campus experience,” TCU has said.
American Campus Communities, the country’s largest student housing developer, is slated to begin building six housing facilities on the east side of campus next month, which will add 2,450 beds. Five of the buildings will be on several blocks between West Cantey and West Bowie streets.
TCU administrators are aware of the parking concerns, not just from nearby residents but also among students, faculty and staff.
TCU says there’s enough parking for everyone
Tammy Evans-Mitchell, TCU’s director of communications, said there is enough parking on campus to accommodate everyone, but students and employees may find it harder to find spots close to where they work or attend classes.
To address this, the university has increased its shuttle service routes from parking areas throughout campus.
The shuttles now run from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, with wait times of 10 to 15 minutes. Beginning this fall, TCU will operate three transit bus routes for students, faculty and staff, connecting more distant parking lots to the center of campus.
Additionally, TCU’s 2,300 first-year students won’t be automatically allowed to park on campus this year, unless they were among the 500 who received an exemption, providing some relief.
A new 950-space parking garage is expected to open next year on the east side of campus, which will alleviate more of the pain.
Until then, commuter students are encouraged to leave themselves extra time for a shuttle ride or a walk to where they’re going. They’re also encouraged to double check parking restrictions in neighborhoods to ensure they’re not ticketed or towed.