Facility Overview

The BCI Lot is an open-air surface parking facility situated on North College Drive on the campus of Bowling Green State University (BGSU) in Bowling Green, Ohio. Constructed adjacent to the state-of-the-art Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) Northwest Ohio Laboratory and Center for the Future of Forensic Sciences, the lot primarily provides designated parking spaces for staff, official visitors, university affiliates, and credentialed personnel. Designed as a paved ground-level lot without overhead decks or garage structures, the BCI Lot offers unobstructed vertical clearance, making it suitable for standard passenger sedans, crossovers, full-sized pickup trucks, SUVs, and high-roof utility vans.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Positioned on the northeastern perimeter of the BGSU campus, the BCI Lot serves as an important parking node for academic, investigative, and athletic destinations across the university grounds:

• Ohio BCI Northwest Regional Laboratory: Directly adjacent, offering immediate access for agency guests, forensic trainees, and conference attendees.
• BGSU Slater Family Ice Arena: Located just a 5-to-7-minute walk south, home to Falcon ice hockey, public skating sessions, and campus events.
• Perry Field House: Situated within an 8-minute walk, hosting campus recreation, track and field meets, and sports club activities.
• Doyt L. Perry Stadium: Positioned approximately 10 to 12 minutes on foot to the southeast, the primary venue for BGSU Falcon football games and major outdoor gatherings.
• Downtown Bowling Green: Located roughly 1.5 miles to the southwest, featuring independent coffee shops, local dining, bookshops, and entertainment venues along Main Street.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

The lot is easily accessed via North College Drive, which connects directly to East Poe Road to the north and East Wooster Street (State Route 64/105) to the south. Motorists arriving via Interstate 75 can take Exit 181 (East Wooster Street) and follow the arterial corridor toward campus, turning north on Mercer Road or Campbell Hill Road to reach East Poe Road and North College Drive. Egress after standard campus hours is typically seamless, though traffic on adjacent thoroughfares may increase significantly during home hockey and football games. Public transit options include BGSU campus shuttle routes and the on-demand BG Transit service, connecting riders across the greater Bowling Green municipal area.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Open-Air Surface Parking: Level asphalt paving with clearly designated standard and accessible parking stalls.
• Unrestricted Clearance: No height barriers or low ceilings, accommodating tall commercial vehicles, work vans, and trucks with roof racks.
• Dedicated Accessibility: Prominently marked ADA accessible stalls positioned near facility pathways and building entrances.
• Campus Security & Illumination: Monitored under university and state facility surveillance programs, featuring high-efficiency overnight pole lighting.
• Pedestrian Connectivity: Integrated concrete sidewalks providing direct pedestrian access to neighboring academic and athletic buildings.

Ideal For

• Official State & Agency Visitors: Individuals conducting business with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and BGSU forensic sciences departments.
• BGSU Students & Faculty: Permit holders attending classes, laboratories, or administrative offices on the north end of campus.
• Falcon Athletics Attendees: Spectators seeking nearby parking when visiting the Slater Family Ice Arena or Perry Field House.
• Conference & Workshop Guests: Professionals attending legal, law enforcement, or scientific seminars hosted at the facility.

Visitor & Driver Tips

The BCI Lot serves a specialized facility housing sensitive laboratory operations, so enforcement of parking regulations is strictly maintained. Always review posted lot signage at the entrance to ensure you have the proper permit or authorization during business hours (typically 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday). If visiting for an athletic event at Slater Family Ice Arena, verify whether the BCI Lot is open to general public overflow parking or if spaces are restricted to agency personnel only. Drivers navigating during winter months should also be mindful of designated campus snow-clearing routes.