Ohio State University officials say the school will permanently close two parking lots at one of the times they’re most in demand.
Ohio State officials say the planned straightening and elevating of Cannon Drive means the Polo and Dodd lots on Cannon will permanently close on September 5.
The closures mean 2,100 fewer parking spots on a core campus street that runs along the west side of Ohio Stadium south to the Wexner Medical Center.
The closure also comes four days before the Ohio State football team’s highly anticipated game against Oklahoma, a game sure to bring thousands of fans into campus and cause gridlock.
Ohio State officials say they understand the inconvenience, but say moving forward with permanent changes before the start of the home football season is easier than changing parking plans week to week.
Ohio State administrators say the changes, which are part of the larger University Framework initiative, will help prevent future flooding, work toward a north-south connection between Lane and King Avenues, and enhance green space along the Olentangy River cooridor.
