CHEYENNE - Mention library books, endowments or new professors to someone outside Laramie, and the conversation is likely to be fairly short. If you really want to spark discussion, mention parking at the University of Wyoming.

Anyone who has ever attempted to find a spot on or near campus in the middle of a weekday has likely fumed about or cursed the lack of available parking.

"The parking situation at the university has been a sore spot for a long time," UW trustee Warren Lauer said, "and I understand people may spend $50,000 to $90,000 to send their kids to school, and they come over and the first thing you know, they get a parking ticket."

Gov. Dave Freudenthal has reignited debate by asking for $17.3 million from the state General Fund for a multi-deck parking structure that would include 670 spaces.

During economic downturns, campus parking concerns have yielded to academic needs. But with the state's estimated $1.86 billion surplus, many officials believe there's enough money to fund UW's main wish list and more.

"If there's a time to make a decision, it's now," Freudenthal said. "I want that issue cued up. I want the Legislature to decide, and I don't want to hear about it again. We're either going to fund it or we're not."

The parking garage would be built on a city block where the former Ivinson hospital building sits on the south edge of campus. The new structure would also house campus police headquarters. The block is bordered by 10th and 11th streets, Ivinson Street and Grand Avenue - or two blocks from the Classroom Building and Prexy's Pasture.

Lauer, who has lived in Laramie since 1970, agrees with the governor that the community is mixed on the issue. One person might offer him a thumbs-up "and the next person will say, 'Gee, that's a lot of money' or 'It's the wrong place,'" he said. "I've even heard people say, 'You shouldn't tear down that old hospital. It's a historic landmark.'"

Lauer said his sense is that the Legislature is driving the issue because of concern by constituents. Last session, lawmakers ordered a study of the problem.

"I don't know if spending $25,000 or $27,000 per parking space is something the Legislature will find to be an economic necessity," he said. "There may be other answers … . It may be that a parking structure is one that will do it."

Sue Ibarra, who lives near the area of the proposed structure, is against the idea, saying it will be "sheer ugliness."

"The university is beautiful right there on Ivinson with all the trees," she said. "Aesthetically, a parking garage isn't appealing."

Laramie Mayor Jodi Guerin said the issue remains a concern not only for students, faculty and campus visitors, but also people like herself who live close to the university, people often forced to park blocks from their homes. It's a particular handicap for the elderly and those with young children, she said.

Guerin likens it to the Legislature's decision in 2001 to finally fund - two decades after it was first proposed - a parking garage next to the State Capitol in Cheyenne to ease pressure on nearby neighborhoods.

"These are state institutions that draw people from around the state to them, and as such they have a duty to provide for the people who are drawn to them," she said.

The parking garage is part of $52.4 million in new university construction projects recommended by Freudenthal. The rest would be spent on a new information technology building ($34.9 million) and expansion of the state seed certification lab in Powell ($120,000).

Overall, the governor has asked for $104 million above UW's current two-year state funding of $308 million.

In recognition of a highly successful five-year, $204 million fundraising campaign, helped greatly by matching state money, Freudenthal has doubled the school's request for new endowment funds. The university sought $25 million; Freudenthal is recommending $50 million to maintain the momentum.

"If you've got a team that's playing really good ball, keep 'em on the field," he said.

Rick Miller, UW's vice president for government, community and legal affairs, said the university has enjoyed strong support in recent years from the Legislature, especially in the form of the endowments. Since 2001, the university has matched all previous endowments, which totaled $58 million.

"What these endowments do is give you a chance to be great," he said. "Endowments are to go out and attract students and faculty in ways you just couldn't otherwise do, and I think that's what gets people fired up."

Other key items proposed by Freudenthal are $26.4 million for faculty and staff pay raises; $3 million to retain top faculty; $2.9 million for 16 new faculty positions; and $1 million for wildlife and livestock disease research.

The governor recommended $6.4 million for computer upgrades, including a wireless network and upgrades to the statewide videoconferencing network. He also asked for $4 million for coal gasification research and $1.5 million to boost library collections.

Other money would be used for coaches' incentive packages, student-athlete summer school scholarships, maintenance, security and increased utility costs.

Freudenthal will present his entire budget to the Joint Appropriations Committee at 9 a.m. Monday in Room 204 of the State Capitol. UW officials make their pitch to the JAC on Jan. 18.

Capital bureau reporter Robert W. Black can be reached at (307) 632-1244 or robert.black@casperstartribune.net.