Students and faculty will have an easier time finding a parking space at APSU after the parking lot previously owned by Jenkins and Wynne opened for APSU use on Monday, March 14.

This lot, located on College Street, brings an additional 90 spaces to APSU’s 4,444 total spaces according to Parking Consultant David Lieb.

APSU is currently in the process of effectively incorporating this acquired property into the university’s master plan.

According to Chief of APSU Police Michael Kasitz, this lot is overflow parking, meaning it is open for students and APSU employees.

Kasitz said the section of the lot closest to College Street will ultimately be used as a green space.

The parking lot’s asphalt removal and landscaping will take place later this spring.

This process started as early as October 2014 when the Proposed Property Acquisition was sent to the Tennessee Board of Regents. The acquisition was approved in December 2014.

CEO of Jenkins and Wynne Don Jenkins said he gave APSU the opportunity to buy the property because he thought it was the best use for it.

“I think APSU has always been a jewel for Clarksville,” Jenkins said. “Part of having property in downtown is being a good steward of what you have, and the best use of the property would be for APSU to have it.”

APSU President Alisa White said APSU was given an extraordinary possibility with the offer of the Jenkins and Wynne property.

“[This purchase] is the opportunity of a lifetime,” White said.

At the staff convocation on Aug. 23, 2015, APSU President Alisa White said the university will concentrate on making this “pretty parking” since the property will contribute to APSU’s expansion down College Street.