UC Riverside’s Parking Lot 13 Renovation project focused on upgrading the portion of the lot that remained after part of the site was used to build the new 1,079-space Big Springs Parking Structure 2. The goal was to transform the 50-year-old lot into a modern, attractive parking area that complements the campus’s growing hard-science district. Today, the renovated lot sits next to the new structure with a coordinated, unified look.

The project included repaving the asphalt, adding new landscaping and lighting, and updating ADA parking. The team aimed to improve the facility without creating the need for additional maintenance staff. They achieved this by using native rock mulch to reduce weeds and installing compacting trash cans that cut waste-collection needs by 90%. What was once an aging, worn-down facility is now a clean, safe, and sustainable parking area that users prefer. The lot now supports the campus’s expanding medical school as well as the nearby Botanic Gardens.

The new planter areas use rock mulch that helps prevent weeds, reduces soil erosion during heavy rain, and provides a long-lasting, uniform look that matches surrounding facilities. Additional trees were planted to increase shade for parked cars—especially important in an area where summer temperatures often rise above 100°F.

Energy-efficient LED fixtures were installed in the existing light poles. These new lights deliver consistent illumination, offer a 5000K color temperature for clearer nighttime visibility, and use only about 40% of the energy consumed by the old fixtures.

Solar-powered compacting trash cans further reduce maintenance demands, allowing staff to service them every ten days instead of daily.

A major highlight of the renovation was the complete upgrade of the existing ADA parking. The project brought all ADA spaces up to current standards and went beyond code by adding extra accessible spaces to ensure that availability would never be a concern.

In June 2023, the renovation project was recognized with an award from the International Parking & Mobility Institute (IPMI). It received a 2023 Award of Merit for Structure Parking Facility Restoration, honoring projects that make a significant impact on the industry and exemplify creativity, effectiveness, and outstanding achievement. Each winning project showcased innovative solutions related to design, operations, environmental sustainability, economic considerations, societal benefits, or, in some cases, a combination of all these factors.

Read more about these achievements and how the parking lot restoration made an impact in the June 2023 issue of the Parking & Mobility Magazine.