Shepherd president, elected leaders work to fund new parking garage for Shepherd campus

ISSUED: 20 November 2009
MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Owens
(Shepherd president, elected leaders work to fund new parking garage for Shepherd campus)

Shepherdstown, WV--Shepherd University President Suzanne Shipley said that the university is working diligently with town leaders, state legislators, and the governor to look for ways to fund a parking garage that the university and town urgently need.

Shipley said as the university community has grown, the additional traffic has overwhelmed the historic town's ability to accommodate the vehicles students, residents, and visitors bring downtown, placing the parking garage at the forefront of Shepherd's infrastructure needs.

"Shepherd is a dynamic, growing university, and I think everyone in this community and at the state capitol understands that our parking demands have quickly outgrown the town's available spaces," Shipley said. "We applaud Governor Joe Manchin for his ongoing support of our area's key needs and, as new revenue sources develop, we will work with the governor, area legislators, and the town leadership to increase parking convenience in Shepherdstown."

Gov. Manchin said that while he can't promise specific funds for a parking garage, he is closely working with Jefferson County legislators and legislative leadership to identify potential sources of revenue that might be available for the project. The governor and area legislators have discussed the possibility that new tax revenue that would come from Charles Town table games, if the referendum passes, could be one of the funding sources they consider.

"Shepherdstown is a vibrant university community set amid one of our state's most historic areas and we have to find a solution that allows the town, the university, and the residents to thrive," Manchin said. "I think it's important that the community understands that during these tough economic times, we don't know what the future holds, but we are all working together to look for ways to make this happen if we can identify new revenue sources."

Del. John Doyle, D-Jefferson, said he is hopeful that funding can be identified and the project will start soon after. "A new parking building for the university is a critical part of Shepherdstown's future," Doyle said. "We are working hard to find a way to make this project possible."

Shepherdstown officials also said the parking garage should be a top priority for the region. "The Corporation of Shepherdstown greatly appreciates the governor's and our legislators' support in acquiring funding for a Shepherd University parking garage," said Shepherdstown Mayor Jim Auxer. "The parking garage is a No. 1 priority that will benefit Shepherdstown residents and businesses."

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