An open letter to the performing arts center and University Police Department: I seriously dislike you both.
First, the PAC: I understand that you need parking, but I need it more than you. I pay over $1,400 each quarter to attend classes and I’m tired of old retirees with season passes and other schools visiting Cal Poly getting my parking spot. The PAC/ASI employees happily man the parking structure while people are paying for parking but then disappear when the event is over. This leaves nine billion people trying to get out of the parking structure and no one to coordinate. Would it be too hard to block off the top ramp so two lanes of cars could leave the structure? Would it be too hard to put out some cones and have someone direct ALL traffic towards Grand Avenue and the 101?
Second, UPD: Why don’t you think traffic management is your job? I know you personally didn’t pave over the 1000-plus parking spots next to the library but it would mean a lot to me if you would help direct traffic to minimize the loss of those parking spots. Last Thursday it took me 35 minutes to get out of the overflow lot. Thirty-five minutes! I was so frustrated at that point, I may or may not have run over the first pedestrian to step in front of my car. Picking up bodies is a tiresome job and I wouldn’t wish it on any of the UPD employees. So how about you send someone out with white gloves to manage the traffic flow out of the parking structure and overflow lots?
Mike Bonham
Electrical engineering senior