West Virginia University basketball fans worried about parking on game days breathed a sigh of relief Thursday.
University officials announced they had reached an agreement with the city of Morgantown and state Division of Highways that allows parking on parts of Monongahela Boulevard during men’s basketball games and special events. Last month, the DOH put up no parking signs in the area, and police said they planned to enforce the rule at all times, including during basketball games.
On Thursday, WVU officials said an agreement had been reached that allows fans to park on parts Mon Boulevard during basketball games. Parking will be restricted from the WVU track entrance to the WVU Core Arboretum on the Coliseum side of Mon Boulevard. It will also be restricted from Evansdale Drive to Patteson Drive on the Create Arts Center side of the boulevard. WVU officials said those restrictions will prevent parking in walkways used by pedestrians entering the Coliseum.
However, parking will be permitted on certain sections on both sides of the road. Officials will cover the “no parking” signs in the permissible sections for parking during games. Any vehicles no parked properly could be towed, WVU said.
“I want to thank all the constituents who came together to approve this plan,” WVU Athletic Director Oliver Luck said. “All were in agreement that public safety was paramount, and we believe this compromise keeps cars from parking in the heavy walkways, while still providing a parking choice to the fans that come to men’s basketball games and special events.”
The no parking signs went up after multiple safety concerns sparked when a 17-year-old driver slammed into five parked cars earlier this year.
Morgantown City Manager Terrence Moore said the city was on board with the plan.
“We were able to concur with what’s been outlined,” Moore said. “All involved seemed to be in agreement.”
Had parking not been allowed during game days, residential areas could have seen an increase in traffic and street parking, Moore said.
Parking is still prohibited during weekdays and weekends without special events or basketball games.