Facility Overview
CMU Lot 38 is an expansive open-air surface parking facility situated on the southern campus of Central Michigan University along East Broomfield Street in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Serving as a crucial parking anchor for the university\'s athletics corridor and student life facilities, the lot features an unobstructed layout with wide vehicular drive aisles and clearly designated stalls. Because Lot 38 is completely open-air without overhead structures or clearance beams, it easily accommodates high-profile pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, passenger vans, and rooftop cargo carriers without any vertical height restrictions. Standard stalls and marked ADA-accessible spaces provide versatile parking options for daily commuters, students, faculty, and visiting fans.
Prime Location & Nearby Attractions
Conveniently situated right along the Broomfield athletic and recreation corridor, Lot 38 puts visitors within immediate walking distance of Central Michigan University\'s premier sports and recreation venues. Kelly/Shorts Stadium, home of Chippewas football, sits just across or down Broomfield Street, making this lot a major hub during fall home games. Additionally, the Student Activity Center (SAC), Rose Center, and McGuirk Arena (hosting CMU basketball, gymnastics, and wrestling) are located within a brief 5-to-10-minute stroll. Campus housing complexes, intramural sports fields, and campus recreational centers are also in direct proximity, while downtown Mount Pleasant and the Mission Street commercial corridor—packed with popular collegiate dining, coffee houses, and casual eateries—are just a short 5-minute drive away.
Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity
Ingress and egress to Lot 38 are directly handled via East Broomfield Street, a primary east-west arterial road running along the south edge of the CMU campus. Broomfield connects seamlessly to South Mission Street (Business US-127) to the east, allowing smooth travel to and from US-127 for regional travelers arriving from Lansing, Midland, or Clare. During peak game-day dismissals and campus events, university parking personnel and local law enforcement manage traffic flow to expedite vehicle exits. The campus is also served by local transit routes and CMU campus shuttle buses, providing convenient connectivity to academic halls, the Bovee University Center, and northern campus housing.
Facility Amenities & Key Features
- Expansive surface lot design with open headroom, accommodating vehicles of any height.
- Designated ADA-accessible parking stalls located near primary pedestrian crosswalks.
- Overhead floodlighting across drive lanes for evening safety and visibility.
- Mobile payment integration and digital permit management via university parking systems (such as ParkMobile).
- Paved asphalt surface with visible striping and pedestrian paths leading directly to campus sidewalks.
- Immediate proximity to major athletic facilities, tailgating zones, and recreation centers.
Ideal For
- Chippewa football, basketball, and athletic game-day attendees and tailgaters.
- CMU students, faculty, and staff accessing South Campus buildings and the Student Activity Center.
- Visitors attending collegiate tournaments, high school invitationals, or camps at McGuirk Arena.
- General campus visitors needing straightforward daily or weekend parking.
Visitor & Driver Tips
On CMU football game days and major arena events, Lot 38 may transition into designated permit, donor, or event-rate parking; arriving early is strongly recommended to beat heavy pre-game traffic along Broomfield Street. During regular academic semesters, ensure you have an active CMU permit or purchase visitor parking through designated mobile parking apps or visitor kiosks to avoid university ticketing. In winter months, watch for designated snow removal zones to prevent towing or parking citations during heavy snowfall.
