The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is willing to pay $1.1 million for the right to build a parking lot on Little Rock’s venerable Ray Winder Field.

The UA board of trustees today approved UAMS’ bid to buy the just over half of the former home of the Arkansas Travelers that the state does not already own. UAMS officials say they need the property for expansion purposes.

Long-term plans call for possible building construction, but in the short-term, plans are to spend another $1 million or so to raze structures at the baseball park and build a parking lot.

The city has set a 4 p.m. deadline for proposals to use the property.

University of Arkansas Chancellor David Gearhart got an ear full from lawmakers today about the $50 fine students are getting for parking illegally on the Fayetteville campus.

“This is an area where I continue to have heartburn,” said Rep. David Dunn, D-Forrest City, who has two children attending the university and complained he’s paid $200 in parking tickets already this fall.    

Gearhart acknowledged the fine is excessive but told lawmakers it’s about driving home to students the need to observe parking regulations on the Fayetteville campus.

UA officials say parking fines generate about $2 million annually for the university’s parking and transit budget. That’s in addition to the $2 million that campus parking fees contribute to the kitty.