Sixty-six of the 1,600 spaces in UNLV's new parking garage will be available as reserved spaces for purchase by students, faculty, and staff.

The $12.6 million garage, which is scheduled to open soon, is located just north of Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall. The new reserved parking area will be located on the ground floor on the west side of the four-story garage.

The garage will contain 1,272 spaces for students, 162 for faculty and staff, 74 for visitors, 66 reserved spaces, and 26 handicap spaces. It was designed with the capacity to add two more floors to accommodate future growth. There are five entrances to the garage, two of which lead directly to the upper floors.

Students, faculty, and staff will not be charged any additional fees for parking in the garage at this time unless they choose to purchase a reserved space; hence, they may use their current permits to park in the garage in the type of space designated on their permits. For example, those with student permits may park in the garage in spaces marked "student."

If the number of requests for reserved spaces exceeds the number of spaces offered, the Parking Services office will consider increasing the amount of reserved parking in the garage, said Tom Hudak, parking services manager.

The spaces will be available for purchase beginning Nov. 19. The annual cost of a reserved space on campus is $400; however, since most of the fall semester will have elapsed, Hudak said, the amount for this year will be pro-rated to $300 for use through August 31, 2002.

The area in which the reserved spaces are located will be marked as a 24-hour "tow-away zone." One stand-by space will be provided for the holders of reserved spaces in the event that someone parks illegally in a reserved space.

Hudak noted that those interested in buying a space should make their request in one of two ways: 1) by going to the Public Safety Building on Harmon and completing a form, or 2) by sending an E-mail to: hudak@ccmail.nevada.edu. Hudak asked that E-mails state whether the sender is a student or a faculty/staff member and include a phone number and address.

Space assignments will be issued the week of Nov. 26-30. Hudak said payment will be expected at the time space holders pick up their reserved permits and space assignments at the Public Safety Building. If Parking Services has not received payment on any of the assigned spaces by Nov. 30, those spaces will be made available for purchase to others, he said.

Participants will be informed of the date of the garage opening at the time they pick up their space assignments.

"We hope the reserved parking plan provides faculty, staff, and students with an additional option to consider," said Hudak.

For more information, calls the Parking Services Office at ext. 1300.