CRMC Committee Discussing Parking Changes

A Cookeville Regional Medical Center committee has begun the process of evaluating some parking changes.

Chief Operating Officer Scott Williams said the hospital will move forward with plans to restrict certain parking lots with gates.

“We’re hoping that through that restriction it’s going to allow us to move employees into those lots and use them more effectively so we can free up patient parking,” Williams said. “Over the past month we’ve not has as many issued with parking that we’ve had previously, however, school is now back in session, so we’re moving forward with those plans.”

The hospital’s Safety Committee met last month to begin discussing the parking gate plan. Williams said employees would park within those gated areas.

In addition, the hospital will consider some changes to traffic patterns around campus. CRMC board member and Cookeville Mayor Ricky Shelton said he would like all interior streets to become four-way stops.

“I just think it’s ridiculously dangerous as you come in on Oak or Hickory,” Shelton said. “Some are four-way and some are two-way and no one knows if everyone stops or if they don’t stop. I would like to get that done.”

Williams said he agreed with Shelton’s recommendation. He said the hospital will begin discussing the plan with Cookeville officials.