Pepperdine University is currently undergoing a major upgrade designed to enhance the scenic Malibu campus. An innovative parking facility equipped with cutting-edge technology and set to be part of the future Mountain at Mullin Park is designed to provide customized, community-focused solutions that optimize campus mobility, increase convenience, improve accessibility, and increase efficiency for the campus community. The 26,500-square-foot parking structure is scheduled for completion by the end of 2024.
The parking garage, which will be built on the site of the former Rho Lot, will consist of seven levels – five above ground and two below ground – and will add 825 parking spaces to the Malibu campus. According to Ben Veenendaal (’02), vice president of planning, operations and construction, this development is an exciting step forward in Pepperdine’s commitment to continually improving the campus experience.
“The Mountain at Mullin Park will be a transformative experience for our community and visitors to our Malibu campus,” says Veenendaal. “The park structure is an essential step in realizing that experience, providing not only functional spaces but also a village of amenities that symbolize the university’s pursuit of excellence and honor our values.”
Designed for the Pepperdine community, the parking garage will include numerous safety and convenience features, such as access controls at the facility’s entrances and exits, 42 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, and infrastructure that will support more than 200 EV charging stations in the future, as well as closed circuit television (CCTV) security cameras and video surveillance systems. The new parking garage, along with additional parking spaces being built in other areas of the mountain, will significantly increase parking capacity on campus – approximately 45 percent more parking spaces than the previous Rho parking lot and a net increase of 265 spaces – and alleviate ongoing parking challenges on campus. This is in addition to the net increase of over 200 spaces added to the Baseball Field parking lots last year.
Mountain in Mullin Park parking garage
“The University regularly considers how members of our community use our campuses, from their commute to classes to their access to campus facilities to their safety in their day-to-day lives,” Veenendaal explains. “The parking structure will not only alleviate parking problems on campus, but will also allow students, faculty, staff and visitors to better enjoy and more meaningfully engage with the elements of campus life that make the Pepperdine experience so special.”
Ensuring accessibility for community members with varying abilities is at the heart of the building’s design, and this is emphasized by the inclusion of 14 standard parking spaces and three pickup truck-accessible parking spaces in the garage, including elevator access to all levels of the garage. Sandra Harrison, executive director of the Office of Student Accessibility, works with students, faculty, and staff across the university to be intentional about the unique priorities of those with accessibility needs, and is excited about the positive impact the additional accessible parking spaces will have on the community.
“We are pleased that the parking structure addresses the accessibility needs of our community members and supports people with diverse needs across the university,” says Harrison. “On the grounds of our Malibu campus, safe parking for members of our community who rely on mobility assistance is a critical part of welcoming people to our campuses. When we provide access to needs such as parking, buildings, academic materials and international programs, we live out the gospel as expressed in DUNAMIS, the foundation of Pepperdine’s commitment to community belonging.”
All of the buildings that make up the mountain, including the parking garage, were designed with the highest sustainability considerations in mind to meet the requirements of the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certification for energy and environmental design, which recognizes a building project’s commitment to environmental protection and resource efficiency.
An important consideration in undertaking large-scale projects such as the Mountain is the impact on campus life during construction. Andrew Clark (’15, MPP ’17), administrative director of planning, operations and construction, is leading intensive coordination efforts to engage the Pepperdine community and mitigate the impacts of construction.
“We understand the value and importance of communicating effectively with our community to provide the latest information on construction activities and progress. We make a strong effort to engage campus partners across the university to keep our community informed,” Clark says. “As a department led by multiple alumni, we are committed to finding ways to mitigate the impacts of construction on our community and are continually evaluating the means and methods of construction to find ways to minimize these disruptions.”
Pepperdine has taken important steps to minimize the impact of construction and ensure the public is informed about the project. Through regular updates on the Mountain’s website, presentations to student leadership, and weekly meetings with faculty and staff throughout the academic year, the university ensures that students, faculty, and staff are informed about the project’s progress and schedule.
Clark also says that student well-being and needs are a priority when evaluating new projects for the campus.
“Considering the individual needs of our campus community when implementing capital projects leads to more successful, accepted and sustainable outcomes and creates a more dynamic and inclusive campus environment for all,” Clark explains. “Our mission is to strengthen the university’s broader mission and values by creating an environment that promotes academic excellence while providing space for individuals to expand their social and spiritual views and development.”
To stay updated on the progress of the parking garage construction, visit the Planning, Operations and Construction website.
