If you drive a large truck, van or sport utility vehicle and want to snag a spot in the new downtown parking garage, you can't use just any entrance there.
The new 500-space parking garage in the 900 block of New Hampshire Street has three entrances, but vehicles 80 inches or taller can only use the southernmost entrance, said Dale Glenn, president of GLPM Architects, which designed the garage.
Melissa Lacey/Journal-World Photo
Kansas University Homecoming Parade Units, including Jayhawk docs in a classic Chevrolet, make their way up Jayhawk Boulevard during the annual parade and pep rally. The winning floats from Friday's parade will be on display today at Memorial Stadium during the Kansas-Oklahoma football game.
The entrance actually is designated as a handicapped-accessible entrance, Glenn said, but 15 to 20 parking spaces on the ground level are designated for vans and large SUVs.
"I can't imagine we're going to have any more than two or three at a time anyway," he said.
Tom Romine, senior project manager for Walker Parking Consultants, which consulted the city on the garage project, said the restriction applied to very few vehicles on the market.
Those include the Lincoln Navigator; Volkswagen EuroVan Camper, Chevy Express G2500 and G3500 vans; Ford E-150, E-250 and E-350 Econoline vans; and GMC Savana G1500, G2500 and G3500 vans.
There may be a few other trucks, SUVs or vans that exceed the height restriction, he said.
Dave Corliss, assistant city manager and co-project manager on the Downtown 2000 project, said it isn't just a height issue, it's also a weight issue: Too many big vehicles would strain the building structure.
"If a vehicle can't get under that bar, it shouldn't be in the parking garage."
Comments
Lawrence.com does not necessarily agree with comments posted below - responsibility lies with the relevant user alone. Read our full policy.