The International Parking Institute honored UC Berkeley and our newest parking structure, Underhill Garage, with the 2009 International Parking Award of Excellence. Acting Director, Seamus Wilmot, was on hand to accept the award at the 2009 annual International Parking Institute convention, held in Denver, CO.
The Underhill parking facility and playing field replaced a parking structure demolished in1993 due to structural safety concerns; the structure suffered some long term damage during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. The Underhill facility, which opened on August 23, 2007, is fully accessible with elevators and ramps, two entrances and exits, state-of-the-art, well lit and well ventilated garage. It provides almost 1,000 covered and marked spaces on four-levels for use by campus permit holders and general public paid parking 7 days a week, 5am – 2am.
The Underhill facility is a welcome addition to the ever shrinking inventory of parking spaces on or near campus. The inclusion of a field on top of the structure has helped to alleviate a severe shortage of open recreation field space on the Berkeley campus and the new structure is helping to create a positive transportation and parking experience for visitors, campus commuters, and the community.