St. John’s University will reopen the Gate 4 parking lot beside Belson Stadium on Nov. 15 after delays in securing the final permit needed to begin construction on its new basketball facility, Chief of Public Safety Dan Rhone announced in an email to students and staff on Nov. 14.

The lot originally closed before classes began as the University prepared the area for construction. It temporarily reopened in the early weeks of the semester, leading to confusion among students and staff.

In the campus-wide email sent at 2:17 p.m., Rhone stated that  “for unforeseen reasons,” the last permit required “has taken longer than anticipated to obtain.” He added that while the University believes the last necessary permit will be approved soon, “there is still no confirmed date for its issuance.”

Rhone addressed the ongoing impact on the campus community and explained the University’s decision to reopen the lot.

“It is not fair to our community, especially our commuter students, to keep the lot closed indefinitely.” Rhone wrote. 

“Once the final permit is received, we will announce the update and close the parking lot five days later, allowing the community time to adjust,” he added.

The email also emphasized the University’s goal of moving the project forward while addressing the needs of students and staff.

“I understand the frustration this back-and-forth has caused and share in that sentiment. Our goal remains to strike a balance between preparing for this important project and attending to the needs of our campus community.”

The University has not provided a timeline for when construction will officially begin. Students and staff are encouraged to monitor University communications for updates.