About this Location

Facility Overview

The Colonial Gold C Parking Lot (Faculty/Staff Only) is a dedicated surface-level parking facility located on the Uptown Campus of the University at Albany (SUNY Albany) in Albany, NY. Positioned adjacent to Colonial Quad (Indigenous Quad) along the western edge of the academic complex, the lot is designed primarily to serve university professors, administrative personnel, and university staff carrying authorized Gold or Faculty/Staff permits. As an open-air lot, there are no overhead clearance restrictions or parking garage height barriers, making it readily accessible for standard passenger sedans, crossovers, full-size SUVs, pickup trucks, and high-roof service vans.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Situated within the iconic Edward Durell Stone-designed Uptown Campus, the Colonial Gold C lot offers immediate pedestrian access to residential quads, academic lecture centers, and athletic complexes:

Colonial Quad (Indigenous Quad): Located steps from the lot, offering direct convenience for quad directors, residential life staff, and academic advisors.
UAlbany Academic Podium: A short 4- to 6-minute walk connects drivers to the central academic core, including the Humanities, Fine Arts, and Social Science buildings.
Broadview Center & Casey Stadium: Situated less than a 10-minute walk south, making the surrounding area a vibrant hub for Great Danes basketball, football, and lacrosse games.
Campus Center & Science Library: Approximately an 8-minute walk across the podium, providing dining facilities, bookstore access, meeting rooms, and research hubs.
Crossgates Mall: Located approximately 2 miles west via Washington Avenue or Western Avenue, offering premier regional retail, dining, and entertainment options.
Albany Pine Bush Preserve: Just a 5-minute drive west along Washington Avenue Extension, featuring extensive nature trails and conservation areas.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress are straightforward via University Drive West and Tricentennial Drive, connecting smoothly with both Washington Avenue (Route 85 connector) and Western Avenue (Route 20). The facility provides rapid vehicular links to Interstate 87 (Adirondack Northway) and Interstate 90, making regional commuting across the Capital District seamless. For public transit users, the lot is well-served by the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) bus network, with nearby stops along the Purple Line BusPlus rapid transit corridor and campus shuttle loops connecting directly to downtown Albany, the Health Sciences Campus, and the Albany-Rensselaer Amtrak Station.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-air layout with no vertical clearance limits for standard, oversized, or high-profile vehicles.
Designated ADA accessible parking stalls conveniently placed near pedestrian curb cuts.
Paved surface with visible stall striping, directional arrows, and regulatory signage.
Nighttime illumination with standard campus pole lighting for enhanced visibility.
Monitored by University Police Department (UPD) patrols and campus security infrastructure.
Proximity to campus shuttle stops linking residential halls, perimeter parking, and academic hubs.

Ideal For

UAlbany faculty members and academic instructors teaching on the western half of the Uptown campus.
Residential life staff and administrators based in or near Colonial Quad (Indigenous Quad).
University researchers, departmental personnel, and visiting faculty with reciprocal SUNY Gold permits.
Campus staff attending conferences, academic forums, or committee meetings at the Academic Podium.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Permit Enforcement: This lot is strictly designated for valid UAlbany Faculty/Staff (Gold) permit holders during standard enforcement hours (typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM). Unauthorized vehicles are subject to campus ticketing and towing.
Visitor Parking Alternatives: General campus visitors, prospective students, and contractors without faculty credentials should park in designated visitor lots such as Collins Circle Visitor Lot or visitor pay-and-display areas.
Peak Commute Times: Spaces fill rapidly between 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM on weekdays during the fall and spring academic semesters. Arrive early for spots closest to the main quad walkway.
Winter Weather Policies: Observe posted snow emergency signage and temporary plowing maintenance notices during major winter storms to avoid vehicle relocation fees.