The Auraria Board has approved the design concept for a new parking garage, paving the way for construction to begin in mid-May.

The five-story, $18 million garage will give the campus an additional 850 parking spots. "The garage will be a welcome relief to the parking shortage we're facing," said Dean Wolf, AHEC executive vice president of administration. Wolf said during peak parking times, as many as 300 vehicles are searching for a parking spot. "We're now at 100 percent capacity, and we shouldn't be at more than 90 percent capacity."

The new garage will feature a cast-in-place structure with flat ceilings that will provide more lighting and a more open feel than most parking garages. "The design will provide a greater sense of security in the garage," Wolf said.

The garage is set to open in March 2005.