“You can learn at Fresno City College, you just can’t park,” Dr. Cynthia Azari, interim president, joked during an interview with the Rampage on Aug. 31 about the parking situation at the college.

Azari said that parking has always been a problem at FCC, information that anyone associated with the college knows too well.

“I’ve tried to come an hour before class and I’m still late,” said Breann Esber, geology major.

To alleviate the parking situation, a temporary parking lot is currently in place behind the gymnasium north of campus, according to Christine Miktarian, associate vice chancellor of Business and

Operations for the State Center Community College District.

Miktarian said that before any pavement for an official parking lot can begin behind the gym, an environmental impact report must be completed and cleared as well and neighbors notified, a process that could be quite lengthy.

The district received approximately $600,000 in funding to renovate parking lots at the different district colleges, including FCC. Miktarian said the renovations work will include fixing or replacing day permit dispensers and parking meters.

A small renovation project is even planned for the parking lots in the area of the police academy and a later project is one that could possibly widen the narrow, congested roadway between the T-400 building and the tennis courts.

Though the district may have short-term plans to ease parking, it is not expected to make a significant impact for students.