About this Location

Facility Overview

The 5040 60th St SE parking facility—officially recognized as the MDOT Carpool Lot (South Beltline East)—is an open-air public commuter lot managed by the Michigan Department of Transportation in the bustling southeast sector of the Grand Rapids metropolitan area. Positioned at the intersection corridor of 60th Street SE and Broadmoor Avenue SE (M-37), this facility provides an expansive, asphalt-paved surface footprint engineered for smooth vehicular maneuvering. With an open-sky design free of overhead decks or low clearance barriers, it accommodates a broad spectrum of vehicles with ease, including standard compacts, full-size sedans, pickup trucks, SUVs, passenger vans, and work vehicles. Wide driving lanes and perpendicular standard stalls ensure effortless navigation upon entering and parking.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Strategically situated in Kentwood and Cascade Township within greater Grand Rapids, this lot serves as a vital multimodal waypoint for professionals, students, and travelers. Key destinations within minutes include:

Davenport University W.A. Lettinga Campus: Located just 1.5 miles south along Kraft Avenue and 68th Street SE, making this an ideal meet-up point for students, faculty, and campus carpools.
Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR): Situated approximately 3 miles northeast via Patterson Avenue SE and 44th Street SE, serving as a convenient off-corridor meeting spot for shared rides to departure terminals.
Cascade & Kentwood Commercial Hubs: Positioned within a 5- to 10-minute drive of major regional employers, technology campuses, and distribution centers located along 60th Street, 44th Street, and Patterson Avenue.
28th Street Shopping Corridor: Roughly 4 to 5 miles north, providing quick access to Woodland Mall, The Shops at Centerpoint, multiple dining establishments, and retail stores.
Downtown Grand Rapids: Accessible within a direct 15-minute drive via M-6 and US-131, connecting drivers to Van Andel Arena, DeVos Place Convention Center, and the Grand Rapids Medical Mile.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

The facility features exceptional ingress and egress directly from 60th Street SE, with dedicated curb cuts that prevent traffic congestion. It is located directly off the interchange for the Paul B. Henry Freeway (M-6, Exit 15) and Broadmoor Avenue SE (M-37 / East Beltline corridor), giving motorists uninterrupted connections across the southern Grand Rapids beltway toward I-96 (heading east toward Lansing and Detroit) and US-131 / I-196 (heading west toward Holland and Lake Michigan). Local rideshare operators (Uber, Lyft) frequently utilize this location as a designated passenger assembly area, and regional commuters take advantage of its seamless proximity to expressway ramps.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

100% Free Public Parking: Maintained under the State of Michigan commuter rideshare program with zero hourly, daily, or permit fees required.
24/7 Access: Continuous year-round accessibility allowing anytime vehicle drop-off and pickup.
Open-Air Headroom: Zero height restrictions, allowing high-profile vans, roof-rack-equipped SUVs, and commercial trucks to park without vertical clearance concerns.
Safety Lighting: Overhead high-output illumination poles mounted throughout the lot for increased night visibility.
Designated Accessibility: Features clearly marked ADA-compliant parking stalls close to the access apron.
Paved and Striped Surface: High-durability asphalt lot marked with clear directional cues and parking dividers.

Ideal For

Daily Commuters & Vanpoolers: Workers coordinating shared commutes toward downtown Grand Rapids, Holland, Muskegon, or Lansing.
Airport Drop-Off Rendezvous: Families and business travelers consolidating vehicles prior to boarding flights at Gerald R. Ford International Airport.
University Students: Davenport University students meeting peers for group project commutes and shared campus travel.
Long-Distance Road Trippers: Drivers meeting friends along the southern M-6 beltline corridor before embarking on regional journeys.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Because this facility operates as a state-run carpool lot, spaces are offered strictly on a first-come, first-served basis without reservation systems; arriving early during morning peak commute windows (7:00 AM – 8:30 AM) ensures the widest selection of parking stalls. Overnight parking is generally permitted for commuter ride-sharing up to typical MDOT multi-day commuter allowances (generally up to 48 hours), but vehicle storage, commercial trailers, and camping are strictly prohibited. For winter visits, drive cautiously during active snow operations while plows clear central aisles. Always lock your vehicle, remove personal valuables from plain sight, and program GPS units directly to '5040 60th St SE' for the direct entrance off 60th Street just east of Broadmoor Avenue.