Augusta University celebrates parking garage grand opening
By Jaxon Garner | Editor-in-Chief
Augusta University marked the grand opening of the Health Sciences Campus Parking Garage on Feb. 5. The new structure, located beside Oak and Elm halls and adjacent to the Dental College of Georgia, offers 1,350 parking spaces for students and staff.
Construction on the garage began just over a year ago, on Jan. 29, 2024, with an expected completion date in the spring of this year. The $36.5 million project not only provides 1,350 parking spots but also includes electric vehicle charging stations and represents a 50% increase in university-wide parking capacity.
“Sometimes you have problems with contractor,” said AU’s Real Estate Foundation representative, Jerry Woods. “They don’t finish on time, and they don’t ever seem to finish under-budget. But I think we did a good job here, finishing on time and under-budget.”
The grand opening featured several representatives from the university and the community, including Yvonne Turner, executive vice president of finance. Turner expressed gratitude to dorm residents for their patience during the construction process.
“Thank you for your patience,” said Turner. “I’m sure you did not like that early morning alarm clock as they were drilling and doing everything to get this site ready for us.”
Before the construction of the new garage, students were faced with intense competition for spots in the limited “Lot 1,” which accommodated just over 300 vehicles. Some students even had to leave their dorms 30 minutes early just to catch a bus or walk to their cars.
Augusta University President Russell T. Keen gave credit to his predecessor, Brooks A. Keel, who originally put the parking garage idea in place.
“I will tell you that our former president Dr. Keel, this was something that he was deeply passionate about,” said President Keen. “I just want to pay him some gratitude and homage.”
The entire university understands that this parking garage symbolizes more than just additional parking spaces. It aligns with the university’s broader goals to enhance the campus experience.
“We are working very hard and diligently to make this campus feel like a true campus, more pedestrian experiences,” said President Keen. “This parking deck is going to help us do that, by taking some of these vehicles off the roads.”
The parking garage also represents the university’s growth over the past few years. The university enrollment rate grew by an average of 9.8% across areas in the fall 2024 semester.
“Augusta University is winning.”
“It’s a sign of not where we’ve been, or where we’re going,” said President Keen. “We're winning because of you and because of what you do, and while we may not be able to have something today, we've got people around this institution that can take that dream and turn it into a reality with hard work, risk, and determination.”
The parking garage represents the entire dedicated faculty, staff, and student body that call Augusta University home.
“What I see is progress,” said Turner. “This is a symbolism of progress and Augusta University's commitment to excellence and our commitment to our students.”
It was only fitting that as the celebration came to an end, the speakers were playing just the right tune:
“Parking Lot Party” by Lee Brice.
Here’s to the growth of our home that we all share.
Contact Jaxon Garner at jaxgarner@augusta.edu.
