About this Location

Facility Overview

The 42nd and Butler Street parking lot is an open-air municipal surface lot managed by the Pittsburgh Parking Authority (PPA), situated in the vibrant heart of Pittsburgh\'s Central Lawrenceville neighborhood. Located directly off Butler Street—the primary commercial and entertainment spine of Lawrenceville—the lot offers seamless convenience for visitors heading to local retail boutiques, celebrated culinary spots, and independent entertainment venues. As an uncovered outdoor surface lot, the facility features wide drive aisles and unobstructed overhead clearance, making it exceptionally accommodating for oversized vehicles, including standard passenger sedans, full-size pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), and commercial high-top vans that cannot navigate low-ceiling multi-story garages.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Lawrenceville is renowned as one of Pittsburgh\'s premier cultural, shopping, and nightlife corridors, and this lot places drivers right in the center of the action. Within immediate walking distance (less than a 2- to 5-minute stroll), visitors will find:

Row House Cinema & Bierport: Independent single-screen theater and taproom located just half a block away.
Arsenal Bowling Lanes: Historic bowling alley and retro lounge situated minutes down 44th Street.
Boutiques & Retail: Dozens of curated specialty shops, apparel boutiques, vintage markets, and local gift galleries lining Butler Street.
Dining & Nightlife: Acclaimed neighborhood staples including The Abbey on Butler Street, Industry Public House, Piccolo Forno, Walter\'s BBQ Southern Kitchen, and Lawrenceville Distilling.
Historic Allegheny Cemetery: The landmark Gothic gatehouse entrance and scenic botanical grounds are within a 5-minute walk.
Arsenal Park: Historic green space featuring sports facilities and playground grounds located just three blocks south.
UPMC Children\'s Hospital of Pittsburgh: Located approximately 0.6 miles southeast along 44th/Penn Avenue, reachable via a brief 12-minute walk or 3-minute ride.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress are straightforward, with curb-cut access directly connecting to Butler Street and 42nd Street. Because Butler Street is a bustling, two-lane arterial roadway, drivers should anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and frequent bicycle activity when turning into and out of the lot. For regional motorists, the location is quickly accessible from Pennsylvania Route 28 across the 40th Street Bridge (Washington Crossing Bridge) or from Downtown Pittsburgh via Liberty Avenue and Penn Avenue through the Strip District. Public transit connections are exceptional, with Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) Route 91 stops located mere steps from the lot, providing rapid connections between Downtown, the Strip District, and Sharpsburg. Route 54 and Route 93 bus lines also operate within easy walking distance, linking travelers directly to Oakland\'s university corridor.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-Air Surface Parking: Generous surface bays with no maximum height clearance restrictions.
Digital Payment Convenience: On-site multi-space pay-by-plate meter kiosks accepting credit and debit cards, along with mobile payment compatibility through the ParkMobile app (Zone 4120).
Accessible Stalls: Designated ADA-compliant parking stalls marked with clear signage and smooth curb cuts.
Municipal Lighting: Equipped with perimeter lighting providing evening visibility and neighborhood integration.
Bicycle Racks: Nearby bike hitching posts for multi-modal commuters and neighborhood cyclists.

Ideal For

Casual Shoppers & Diners: Visitors exploring Lawrenceville\'s boutique retail, coffee shops, and restaurant scene.
Cinema & Event Attendees: Patrons visiting Row House Cinema, Arsenal Bowling, or local evening live-music events.
Contractors & Van Operators: Tradespeople and delivery vehicles requiring tall clearance without garage roof height limits.
Neighborhood Commuters: Individuals working at local small businesses, agencies, and neighborhood tech offices.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Lawrenceville experiences exceptionally high parking demand on Friday and Saturday evenings, as well as during neighborhood festivals such as Art All Night and Joyonale. During weekend peak dinner hours (6:00 PM – 9:00 PM), spaces in this municipal lot turn over steadily, but arriving early is recommended. Drivers can easily monitor and extend parking sessions remotely by noting their license plate number and utilizing the ParkMobile app rather than returning to the kiosk. Always be mindful of active bike lanes and mid-block crosswalks when entering and exiting onto Butler Street.