Patrons of events at UNLV's Performing Arts Center will want to be aware of changes in parking near the center, and may want to arrive a few minutes early for performances during the spring semester, according to performing arts and parking managers.

Beginning Friday (Feb. 16), a portion of the parking lot north of Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall will be closed to allow for construction of a 1,600-space parking garage.

Patrons will find parking to the west of the construction site or in another lot, according to Tom Hudak, UNLV parking services manager.

He added that additional parking in the area is available in the lots near the Paradise Elementary School and the Stan Fulton Building. Hudak also pointed out that, in anticipation of the parking garage project, several existing parking lots have been reconfigured and several new lots have been created during the last year, providing 1,208 new parking spaces on campus.

"This should help alleviate some of the difficulty in finding parking," Hudak said.

The new garage is expected to be completed in early 2002.

For more information, call the parking services office at 895-1300.