A Spot-less Construction Project

The construction site takes up the popular parking area that was conveniently located across the street from the Journalism School and near the heart of downtown Columbia.

Ninth St. is one of the busiest and most traveled streets in the downtown Columbia area. Between campus and Broadway Street there are a plethora of commercial spaces from the good times Big 12 Bar and Grill to the cicada ice cream at Sparky’s. But one thing that it is now missing is places to park.

The new construction project located just north of Chipotle Mexican Grill and Starbucks on Ninth Street began Jan. 9 and marked the end to the very popular parking area that use to inhabit that space.

Starbucks frequent coffee drinker Rachel Karcz was disappointed in the disappearance of the lot and says it absolutely has an effect on her daily routine.

“My boyfriend and I come here every morning for coffee, and we’re having a hard time finding parking on the street. Especially places we won’t get ticketed.” Karcz stated.

The sidewalk adjacent to the construction project has also seen some renovations.

Drivers, like Karcz, have to look elsewhere for spots including Hitt Street garage south of Memorial Union on campus. When the project is completed there will be 64 new apartments open for grabs, but no parking spaces for the taking.

“It’s just really been a pain in the butt.” Karcz added.