Construction began on the parking garage at the corner of Volunteer Boulevard and Andy Holt Avenue in 1977. After several delays, the garage opened in late spring 1978. Clayton Dekle, UT system director of facilities planning indicated that safety was a principal determinant of the design of the facility. The $2.4 million, five-story structure incorporated open stairwells so that those who parked in the garage could see and be seen as they traveled between floors. In addition, each level opened onto a grade level or accessed a ramp leading to the ground level. Extra lighting was also incorporated. Construction of the facility eliminated 220 parking spaces, but 75 of the old spaces were returned for parking at the completion of the project. The garage was designed to hold 856 full-size automobiles (1,100 small-size cars) for a net gain of approximately 711 spaces. In January 1979 three female students were abducted from the garage, and two were raped.