Isla Vista is home to a growing population of over 25,000. The majority of residents are UCSB and Santa Barbara City College Students. With housing being a huge issue due to cost and availability, many are having to live with an average of six other people in a house or apartment designated for 4. Most apartment complexes only guarantee one parking spot per apartment and with the majority of students owning a car to transport to and from work and other responsibilities, this leaves many to venture off into the horrid reality of street parking in Isla Vista. Not only are people struggling to find a parking spot among thousands, they also put themselves and their cars in danger in the process. Female college students are especially at risk, since many are forced to walk several blocks home after searching the streets for a parking spot. There have been numerous reports on attacks on young females in Isla Vista, especially at night. In addition, almost daily there are reports of hit-and-runs and car damage due largely to reckless intoxicated people roaming the streets. This puts a financial strain on young college students who are struggling to get by as it is.

To solve this problem, I propose the City of Goleta to expand the already existing  parking structure on the corner of Pardall and Embarcadero Del Mar by several stories as well as offer more long term parking permits such as overnight and monthly. This parking structure is located in the heart of Isla Vista, making it a short walk or shuttle ride for most students. This could be the first of multiple parking structures that would help eliminate the parking problem in Isla Vista and keep students and their cars safer.