About this Location

Facility Overview

The Collaborative Innovation Center Garage, officially known as the Robert Mehrabian Collaborative Innovation Center (CIC) Garage, is a premier multi-level parking facility nestled in Pittsburgh’s bustling Oakland innovation and university district. Situated on South Neville Street on the western flank of the Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) campus, this subterranean and integrated multi-deck structure provides direct subterranean access to high-tech research centers, academic halls, and corporate partner suites. With a clean, subterranean layout spanning multiple lower parking tiers (Levels G2, G3, and G4), the structure is engineered to accommodate standard passenger cars, mid-size crossovers, compact trucks, and typical family SUVs. Due to a standard clearance limit of approximately 6 feet 8 inches, oversized commercial conversion vans, tall cargo transports, and lifted heavy-duty pickups should seek open-air surface lots nearby.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Located in the intellectual and cultural epicenter of Pittsburgh, the CIC Garage provides rapid, convenient walking access to leading educational landmarks, world-class museums, and popular dining quarters:

Carnegie Mellon University Campus Hub: A 3 to 5-minute walk to Newell-Simon Hall, Gates Hillman Center, Cyert Hall, Purnell Center for the Arts, and the Cohon University Center.
Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History: Just an 8-minute walk (0.4 miles) west along Forbes Avenue, placing visitors within easy reach of world-renowned art galleries and the iconic dinosaur hall.
South Craig Street Corridor: Located only 4 to 6 minutes away on foot, featuring popular local eateries, cafes, bookstores, and student-favorite coffee shops.
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens: Accessible within a scenic 12 to 15-minute walk across Schenley Plaza and into Schenley Park.
University of Pittsburgh & Cathedral of Learning: Less than a 15-minute walk (0.7 miles), making this lot a viable overflow option for Pitt events and academic seminars.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Accessing the garage is straightforward via the South Neville Street approach. Drivers approaching from Forbes Avenue can turn onto South Craig Street, make a right onto Winthrop Street, and continue onto South Neville Street, following the ramp entrance to the left just before the railroad tracks. Alternatively, motorists arriving from Fifth Avenue can turn directly onto South Neville Street and follow the grade downhill toward the gated portal. Egress feeds smoothly onto South Neville Street, providing quick dispersal back onto Fifth Avenue and Forbes Avenue toward Downtown Pittsburgh or east toward Shadyside and Squirrel Hill. Regional highway access is seamless via the Boulevard of the Allies and Bates Street, leading straight to Interstate 376 (Penn-Lincoln Parkway). The facility is also serviced by Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) bus routes along Forbes and Fifth Avenues (including the 61 and 71 bus series as well as the 28X Airport Flyer), plus dedicated CMU campus shuttle stops.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Covered Multi-Deck Parking: Complete subterranean shelter protecting vehicles from winter snow, ice, and intense summer heat.
Modern Access Automation: Ticket-dispensing entry gates paired with automated pay-on-foot payment kiosks on the lobby level (Level L) and exit express lanes.
Digital & Cashless Payment: Supports major credit/debit cards, CMU smart card credentials for university affiliates, and mobile parking integrations where applicable.
Elevator & Pedestrian Accessibility: Central elevator shafts and stairwells linking parking decks directly to the CIC upper concourses and street level.
ADA Accessible Spaces: Marked handicap-accessible parking bays situated directly adjacent to elevator cores and automatic sliding doorways.
Safety & Monitoring: Bright overhead lighting, clear instructional signage, emergency call boxes, and CMU Campus Police patrol oversight.

Ideal For

Campus Visitors & Guest Lecturers: Convenient access for academic meetings, research collaborations, admissions tours, and university symposiums.
Oakland Tech & Research Workers: Ideal parking for researchers, engineers, and corporate partners operating out of the Collaborative Innovation Center.
Museumgoers & Cultural Tourists: A dependable weekend and evening parking choice when visiting the Carnegie Museums or Schenley Park cultural district.
Dining & Shopping Patrons: Direct proximity to the independent restaurants, coffee shops, and retail spots along South Craig Street.

Visitor & Driver Tips

When entering the garage, pull a physical ticket at the barrier arm and keep it safely inside your pocket or vehicle console—do not leave it on a sun-drenched dashboard. Before returning to your vehicle to exit, bring your ticket to the automated payment kiosks located on Level L to pay your parking fee, which expedites lane flow at the gate. Note that overnight parking is typically reserved exclusively for registered CMU permit holders; daily visitors must exit prior to overnight restrictions. During major university milestones, such as Commencement or Spring Carnival, visitor spaces fill early, so consider arriving ahead of the peak morning commute or pre-reserving spaces via CMU Transportation Services when event parking protocols are activated.