Atlanta, GA – Installed in 2007, the entry and exit gates at University Commons Parking Deck have caused frustration among residents. Due to the deck’s downtown location, security measures such as installing fences, RFID parking hangtags, and garage doors are in place to deter crime and property damage. At the same time, such security measures cause annoyance among students who park there.
“I’ve tapped my tag on the reader 30 times, but it’s not letting me out!” complained Jeremy, a Commons resident. “I have a job, but apparently it doesn’t understand that.”
On our way to interview GSU about its faulty technology, we also saw a student idling in front of the Commons garage door. The resident, who grew a beard waiting to be let in, shared their frustrations about the parking system.
“I’ve been trying to get in for the past five minutes,” said the resident. “But apparently the card readers are on vacation, or so tenured that they can get away with not doing their job. Just like my professor. Either way, I’m trying to go take a nap!”
Our team attempted to meet with a spokesperson but encountered problems along the way. The commuter parking garage they directed us to in their email was full, even though the counter had 100 spots left. We attempted to call them to find a solution, but their line kept dropping.
Frustrated, we were on our way to leave. But if that wasn’t enough, we had to pay if we wanted to leave, even though we didn’t even find an open spot. We paid anyways, and the garage door hit our news van on the way out.
Pounce, if you’re reading this, I hope you have great liability insurance.
