MacEwan students face a new range of struggles as LRT construction on 104 Ave continues.
Satch Petrov/ Edmonton Edge
The new LRT construction on 104 Avenue next to MacEwan University has created parking challenges for students and faculty who rely on driving to school. MacEwan University in downtown Edmonton runs along 104 Avenue, a route commonly populated with traffic.
The city is developing an LRT line to run east-west through downtown along 104 Avenue, eliminating drivers’ ability to turn left onto residential streets driving westbound. MacEwan does offer above- and below-ground lot parking, but spaces are limited and often at capacity starting early in the semester.
Parking office employee Leanne Fiddler says, “Close to 2,000 stalls are available monthly, but this is the second year in a row we’ve sold out.”
Fourth-year communications student Kai Bowering drives to school from work daily and says, “I’m fed up with the construction, and it’s only just begun. It felt like it appeared out of nowhere, and now I can’t turn left anywhere on 104 Ave to park, which is where all the residential buildings are.”
This isn’t the case for Bowering alone. Several students have voiced similar concerns on MacEwan’s student Facebook page, again, with the price of lot parking observed as being a common issue.
Third-year design student Carter Wynn says, “The construction on 104th really changes how I have to get to school now. Parking further away is hard, and the traffic makes it hard to get to class on time. The lots behind the school are way too expensive.”
MacEwan’s parking office is located inside the bookstore in Building 6 and is open for students to visit from 8 a.m to 4 p.m. This is where students go to purchase parking passes, sort out parking issues, and voice concerns.
MacEwan’s parking office reduced the monthly pass prices during the pandemic and hasn’t raised them back since as a way to support students. Students and staff are likely to face parking challenges until the construction is complete.
When asked about plans for the potential expansion of MacEwan’s lots, Fiddler says, “It’s extremely difficult; we have to go through the city, buy land, and acquire permits. We really do care about helping the students out in any way we can, but sometimes, what we can do is limited.”
