Preferred parking: FGCU students driving eco-friendly vehicles to get best spots

At Florida Gulf Coast University, what you drive does say something about you. Students driving eco-friendly vehicles can say they are privileged.

Starting next month, students driving low-emission vehicles will be eligible for preferred parking at certain buildings.

The new incentive is part of LEED certification, an internationally recognized system that provides the framework for constructing an environmentally friendly building. More than 600 vehicles, dating back to models from 1998 and ranging from Mercedes to hybrids, will qualify for the preferred parking. South Housing and the parking lot for Academic Building 7, both LEED certified buildings, will begin the preferred-parking system this month

Alena Walker, a freshman majoring in political studies, bought a Hyundai Elantra less than a week ago. She is eligible for a preferred parking decal and plans to get one soon.

“I did not consider a car that got less than 25 city miles,” Walker said. “The preferred parking on campus is a good perk, but I wouldn’t base car shopping off it,”

■ Read Allison Gagliardi’s complete story at Eagle News