New student parking lot on SC 544

By Alexandra Morris

It’s out with the old fire tower and in with a new parking lot across from University Place, Coastal Carolina University’s student housing on S.C. 544. With 694 spaces, the lot will be reserved mainly, but not exclusively, as an overflow lot for freshman students living in the residence halls on the main campus, including those who will be living in the new University housing behind the HTC Center.

The parking lot, including four bus shelters, palmetto trees and a storm retention pond, is expected to be finished by Aug. 1. Project manager Shawn Godwin says the project is nearly complete, and the final few steps include compacting and laying down the asphalt.

Students will use the University’s shuttle system to travel between the parking lot and campus.

The first phase of the new residential buildings will be ready for occupancy by the fall of 2015. The second phase will be finished a year later. When complete, the two residence halls will accommodate 1,260 students.