After years of student complaints about the congested parking situation on the north side of campus, the college has taken the first step toward a solution. Unfortunately, some students worry this solution will trigger more problems in the end.

In light of rumors across campus, President Rob Oliver clarified the legal terminology of the college's actions regarding 28th Street.

"The college did not purchase it [28th Street], but rather petitioned the city of Sioux Falls to ‘vacate' the street to the owners on either side," he said. "Since we own nearly all of the properties on both sides of the street, we now own what was once the street, and are responsible for maintenance and management of the property."

Technically, the street is now a private street, but it remains open for public use, and will continue to do so with a few new additions.

"The actual street portion will be maintained with some additional traffic control signals like more stop signs along the way," Campus Safety Director Rick Tupper said. "But 28th Street will always be maintained as a through street; this is required to accommodate emergency vehicle traffic."

For the two homes along the street not owned by Augustana, two private spaces will be allotted to each when the college designs the new parking structures.

Otherwise, all parking along 28th Street between Grange Avenue and Summit Avenue will require an Augustana parking permit as the changes are phased in.

For the most part, parking will require a green permit, which denotes Granskou or Stavig Halls. But theme house residents along the street will see a change in their parking, as well.

"In the long run, parking will likely be closer for those houses," Tupper said. "With the design of parking, we will move those parking spaces closer to the actual theme house."

Students without parking permits, such as Olson House resident Holly Timmons might be put at an even greater disadvantage by the change however.

"I typically park on 28th Street if there is a spot, but otherwise I park on 27th Street," she said. "The side streets near our house are all only two hour parking spots."

Junior Matt Cook also doesn't have a parking permit for his dorm, Stavig Hall, and sees the changes not as a positive, but rather a disturbance for students already struggling to find parking on the crowded streets of north side.

"While they may be trying to help, I have a feeling that this will be an inconvenience to a larger group as opposed to a convenience for many."

Tupper said the addition will add more permits sold to the students of north side, so that fewer students are forced to off-street parking. And in the future, a larger renovation of the street could add even more spots.

"Eventually, we plan to significantly increase the number of parking spaces by widening the street and placing either right-angle or diagonal parking on both sides," Oliver said. "It will most likely be a phased-in project spanning over a few or even several summers."

But for students attempting to save money on a parking pass, the changes to 28th Street will only push them to park further from campus.

"This project will not completely meet the north-side demand for parking, but we recognize the parking challenges that students face living on the north side of campus," Oliver said. "Parking, it seems, is an ongoing challenge on nearly all college campuses, and one for which continuing efforts to find solutions will be required in the future."