There’s news today about one of the most popular topics of conversation on the campus of Youngstown State University.

University officials have announced that as of Monday, June 20, the M60 parking deck on the corner of Lincoln and Fifth Avenue will close permanently. The deck will eventually be torn down.

The deck will be replaced with a 163-space surface lot which is scheduled for completion by the end of October.

According to the University, the deck, built in the 1970s is now approaching the end of its useful life.

Over the last two years, the University says portions of the deck have become unusable. In 2021, levels 3 and 4 were closed. Level 2 was closed earlier this year.

In preparation for the demolition, YSU has created the 285-space M81 lot along the Madison Avenue Expressway Eastbound Service Road and Elm Street, as well as created the Deibel Park walkway, opening 100 spaces on the Eastbound Service Road to the campus.

A statement issued by the University says the M72 lot on Ford Avenue has been improved with 131 spaces. In addition, to address overnight parking needs from the M60 deck, a new overnight lot, R67 on Fifth Avenue behind Enterprise Rent-A-Car, will be completed this summer with 36 new spaces.

Those currently parking in the M60 deck can find alternative parking in the M70 lot just west of Fifth Avenue between Arlington and Grant streets or the M30 parking deck on Wick Avenue. Additional parking is also available west of the M70 lot in the M71, M72 and M66 parking lots.