More parking spaces and an improved carpool line are the highlights of Broughton’s redesigned front parking lot, which was opened for use of students this fall.

   The new lot adds 100 parking spaces to the parking space lottery, making the school’s total about 445 spaces. Broughton is known for having a lack of parking spaces for students to use.

   The new parking lot is located at the front of the school on the corner of St. Mary’s Street and West Peace Street. Half of the front lawn was previously paved and used for parking. The expansion paved the other half of the front lawn, creating a new semi-circle shaped lot. The construction also added speed bumps and medians to direct and control the flow of traffic in the lot.

   Plans for the expansion of the parking lot began around 14 months ago under Mr. Teel’s supervision. Most of the current Broughton students and staff were in support of these plans because the front lawn was not being used for anything.

   Many Broughton alumni were not happy with the idea of paving the historic front lawn. The construction plans were also discouraged by the Raleigh City Council and the Raleigh Planning Commission.

   Students held a protest outside of the school shortly after the construction plans were denied. Students went to school early and parked on the front lawn where the new lot was proposed. The protest was a success, and plans to pave the lawn were approved shortly thereafter.

   “I was for paving the front lawn because I wouldn’t have to get up as early to look for a parking spot. The new lot has really helped with parking,” senior Caroline Green said.

   Construction on the parking lot began shortly after school let out. The lot’s final construction was finished August 23, 2009, just two days before school started up again.

   New lights, improved drainage, and redesigned landscaping are some of the other editions to the new and improved lot. The new lot also has an entrance and exit on West Peace Street, which is hoped to reduce traffic on St. Mary’s Street.

   The carpool line was also changed during construction. The new traffic pattern brings students to the front of the school as they are dropped off.

   “The new carpool line is still changing. We are still trying to figure out what works best,” assistant principal Mike Lentz said.