Progress leads to parking shortage, leaders seeking solutions Published Sept. 10, 2010 By Wayne Crenshaw 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- As a part of the P3I infrastructure initiative, an action team is feverishly working to find solutions to Robins' parking problems. The parking shortage has been exacerbated by more than 70 building projects which have taken up parking spaces. Contracts typically allow builders to take up a number of parking spaces for equipment and material during construction. The shortage has been compounded in recent months as hundreds of new employees have joined the workforce to help meet increased aircraft maintenance demand. But some efforts have been taken to improve the situation, and others are underway. They include two recent projects near the flightline which added 355 spaces. There are two pending projects which will add another 200, possibly as early as January. More are being considered. However, while construction of a parking deck is one of many options being looked at, there are no immediate plans to submit a formal proposal for such a project. "This is a concept we are investigating," said Otis Hicks, 78th Civil Engineer Group director. "(But) it's not something we are (currently) submitting." As mentioned in a story in the Aug. 27 Rev Up, a parking deck would be a Military Construction Project (because the cost would be in excess of $750,000), and funding would have to be approved by Congress. Meanwhile, two additional areas have been added where people can temporarily park in the grass. Those are around Bldg. 207, and compensate for parking lost during work done on the water tower near Bldg. 95, said officials. The only other area on base where people can park in a grassy area is around Bldg. 91. While illegally-parked vehicles are subject to a ticket, only those cars and trucks creating a traffic hazard will be towed. In the meantime, the action team is working on several initiatives aimed at reducing the number of cars on base, including mass transit options. It's also championing two other initiatives - the Clean Air Campaign and Transportation Incentive Program - which promote the use of carpools and vanpools. By signing up for the Clean Air Campaign at www.logyourcommute.org, carpool riders can receive financial incentives, earn cash and prizes, and find potential carpooling partners. The Transportation Incentive Program provides financial incentives to those who vanpool. For more information on TIP, call 926-7199.