(KTTS News) — The OTC Board of Trustees has approved a new parking lot for its Springfield campus.

The Board approved spending $2.2 million for a new parking lot at the corner of Pythian and Hampton.

It will include 201 parking spaces and should be ready by the fall of 2024.

The parking lot will be located next to existing parking at the Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church.

The college agreed to buy the church property in September.

Press Release

The Ozarks Technical Community College Board of Trustees approved funding for a $2.2 million parking lot project to the north of the Springfield campus at its monthly board meeting today, Dec. 13. The cost includes $1.85 million to DeWitt & Associates for construction.

The new parking lot at the corner of Pythian and Hampton will add 201 parking spaces to the Springfield campus. The parking facility will tie in with the existing parking at the Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church at the corner of National and Pythian. The OTC Board of Trustees approved the purchase of the church property at the September meeting.

“We need to make sure our college has ample parking to make it convenient for our students to attend class,” said Dr. Hal Higdon, OTC Chancellor. “When constructing buildings like the Plaster Manufacturing Center, the college always plans to compensate for the lost parking lots.”

Besides the parking spaces, the college will improve the pedestrian corridor along Hampton Avenue by adding brick fencing to the north and south of the lot, stone retaining walls, and rectangular rapid flashing beacons at the crosswalk. The new crosswalk signals will enhance safety for pedestrians crossing Pythian.

The college plans to complete the parking lot in time for the start of fall classes in August 2024.