Temporary Baker University Center parking garage changes will soon make way for more convenient, cost-effective solution

Equipment issues with the gate system in the parking garage at Baker University Center have necessitated temporary changes to parking procedures as Ohio University Transportation & Parking Services plans for a long-term solution.

The gate system, which has a normal lifespan of 7-8 years, has been in use for nearly ten years in the Baker University Center garage. Expensive parts and repair costs for the malfunctioning pavement sensors that detect the presence of cars at the gate were becoming unsustainable and were not cost-effective for a facility of only 100 hourly parking spaces, explained Teresa Trussell, interim manager of Parking Services. 

“Our long-term plan has been to transition the Baker University Center garage to align with other lots on campus that utilize pay stations combined with the ability to pay using the Parkmobile application and provide consistency for our customers,” Trussell said. “Parking Services is currently in the process of transitioning the Baker University Center garage to be consistent with other lots on the Athens Campus, because it was the only parking lot that still used a gate system. We are hoping to have two new pay stations installed in the garage conveniently located by the elevator and at the current exit by the end of spring semester.”

In the meantime, there are two ways to pay for parking at the Baker University Center garage: 

• Pay using the pay station located in lot 122, on the top level above the Baker University Center garage and adjacent to the building;
• Pay using the Parkmobile app; the Baker University Center garage is listed as Zone 1356. Using Parkmobile to pay at the Baker University Center garage – as well as all other lots on campus – will remain an option after the new pay stations are installed.