A change in the Harmon Avenue Parking Garage is coming sooner than was expected, but in the end it will mean a more convenient experience for motorists who park there.

In short, the gates are being removed from the garage.

Gary Smith, director of Transit and Parking, said the change is being made at this time because the gates stopped working properly.

"This is something that we were going to do before the beginning of the fall semester anyway," he said. "But since the gates won't function like we need them to, we are making the transition now."

That means drivers will show that they have a permit in a different manner than before.

Instead of using access cards at the gate, permit holders will need to display their Harmon permit in the garage.

Everyone parking in the garage between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday will need to display a Harmon Garage parking permit or pay the parking meter. Anyone who has paid for parking in the garage but does not have either a blue Harmon Garage permit or a student permit with an "H" tab can see Transit and Parking to make sure that they have a permit with an "H" tab on it.

Everyone parking in the garage between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday will need to display a current UA parking permit or pay the parking meter.

Those who park in Harmon but pay by the hour will need to pay meters that are located on levels 1, 2, 4, or 6. Using the Whoosh! smartphone app is also an option for meter payment.

The changes will go into effect Monday, May 21 and will mean that the Harmon Avenue Parking Garage will operate like other garages on campus.

"We thank everyone for their patience during the transition," Smith said. "Once the change is made, it will actually be more convenient for those who park in Harmon this summer."