Facility Overview
The Charleston Civic Center Parking Garage—officially serving the rebranded Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center—is the premier multi-level parking structure anchored in the heart of downtown Charleston, West Virginia. Located at 200 Civic Center Drive with its main vehicle entrance situated off Quarrier Street, this covered parking deck delivers direct, weather-protected pedestrian access to the Mountain State's foremost entertainment, sporting, and exhibition complex. The garage features multi-tiered concrete decks connected via wide two-way driving aisles and distinct floor markings.
Drivers should take note of the garage's posted maximum overhead vehicle clearance of 6 feet 8 inches (6'8"). While standard passenger sedans, crossovers, station wagons, minivans, and stock full-size SUVs park comfortably, lifted 4x4 pickup trucks, oversized commercial vans, and vehicles equipped with roof-mounted cargo boxes or bicycle racks may exceed height restrictions. Drivers operating high-clearance or specialized oversized vehicles are encouraged to utilize adjacent open-air surface lots situated along Civic Center Drive and Clendenin Street.
Prime Location & Nearby Attractions
Strategically positioned where downtown commerce meets the scenic Elk and Kanawha rivers, this parking garage places visitors steps from top regional attractions and administrative offices:
- Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center: Directly integrated with the facility, offering seamless access to headliner concerts, arena sports, expos, and the West Virginia State High School Basketball Tournament.
- Charleston Town Center: Located directly across the street (a 2-minute walk), providing shopping, casual eateries, and retail services.
- Charleston Municipal Auditorium: Situated approximately two blocks away (a 4-to-5-minute walk) at Virginia and Truslow Streets for performing arts and civic presentations.
- Downtown Government & Legal Center: Within a 5-to-8-minute walk of the Robert C. Byrd U.S. Courthouse and the Kanawha County Judicial Building.
- Haddad Riverfront Park & Live on the Levee: An easy 8-minute stroll (0.4 miles) south to the Kanawha River amphitheater for summer concert series and community festivities.
- Capitol Street Historic District: Less than a 10-minute walk east, brimming with independent boutiques, craft breweries, and fine dining establishments.
Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity
The garage offers outstanding regional connectivity with instant ingress and egress from both Interstate 64 (I-64) and Interstate 77 (I-77). Motorists traveling eastbound on I-64 can take Exit 58B (Virginia Street), bear right, make quick left turns onto Civic Center Drive and Quarrier Street, and immediately enter the parking building on the right. Drivers approaching westbound via I-64 or I-77 take Exit 58C (Washington Street / Civic Center Drive), continue south on Pennsylvania Avenue, turn left onto Virginia Street, left onto Civic Center Drive, and left onto Quarrier Street.
Because the garage sits near major interstate on-ramps, exiting after high-attendance arena concerts or sellout athletic events is streamlined by local traffic control officers stationed along Quarrier and Virginia Streets. For public transit users, the Kanawha Valley Regional Transportation Authority (KRT) operates multiple central bus lines intersecting within blocks of the coliseum, and the Charleston Amtrak Station (CHC) is situated just over a mile away across the South Side Bridge.
Facility Amenities & Key Features
- Covered Multi-Level Parking: Protects your vehicle from adverse weather, winter snow, and summer heat.
- Dedicated ADA Accessibility: Designated accessible parking spaces located conveniently on all garage levels in close proximity to elevators and pedestrian ramps.
- Direct Event Ingress: Covered pedestrian walkways and elevator banks facilitating seamless movement into the Coliseum and Convention Center concourses.
- Flexible Payment Choices: Accommodates on-site pay-station transactions and event mobile booking integration (via ParkMobile and affiliated event apps).
- Comprehensive Lighting & Safety: Well-lit stairwells, security camera monitoring, and regular patrols by facility security and local law enforcement during major gatherings.
Ideal For
- Arena Concertgoers & Sports Fans: Attending major live tours, wrestling spectacles, and regional basketball championships.
- Conference & Trade Show Attendees: Business travelers visiting multi-day symposiums, industry expos, and banquets at the convention complex.
- Civic & Municipal Visitors: Performing official business at the nearby federal courthouse, county complexes, or City Hall.
- Downtown Shoppers & Diners: Anyone spending an afternoon exploring the Charleston Town Center or the dining corridor along Capitol and Quarrier Streets.
Visitor & Driver Tips
For high-profile arena concerts and tournament finals, parking demand spikes significantly; plan to arrive at least 45 to 60 minutes prior to showtime to avoid entry queues along Quarrier Street. Event parking fees typically range from a modest flat rate ($5.00 on most standard event days), but having both cash and credit/debit payment options on hand is strongly recommended as payment protocols can vary by promoter. If you anticipate needing a fast departure following a capacity crowd event, consider backing into your parking stall on the lower tiers to facilitate a smoother exit onto Quarrier Street once the garage gates open.