Facility Overview

The First & Huron Parking Lot is an essential downtown Ann Arbor parking facility positioned at the northwest corner of West Huron Street and North First Street. Operating as an expansive, open-air municipal surface lot under the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority (DDA) parking system, this site provides straightforward, level-grade parking right at the gateway to the city center. Because it is completely open without overhead structures, the lot features unlimited vertical clearance, making it an outstanding choice for oversized vehicles, tall commercial work vans, pickup trucks, and passenger SUVs equipped with rooftop carriers or bike racks that cannot enter low-clearance parking garages.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Strategically situated on the western perimeter of downtown Ann Arbor, the First & Huron Parking Lot puts drivers within comfortable walking distance of premier cultural, culinary, and academic landmarks:

• Downtown Main Street Corridor: Located just two blocks east (a 4-minute walk), offering award-winning restaurants, brewpubs, boutiques, and nightlife.
• Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum: Less than a 5-minute walk (0.2 miles) northeast, making it a favorite for families visiting the interactive science center.
• Kerrytown District & Ann Arbor Farmers Market: Roughly a 7- to 10-minute stroll north, home to artisan food markets, Zingerman\'s Delicatessen, and historic brick streets.
• The Ark & Downtown Theaters: Just a 6-minute walk away, perfect for evening concerts, folk performances, and live theater.
• University of Michigan Central Campus: Approximately a 12- to 15-minute walk east, providing a reliable alternative for campus visitors, university staff, and prospective students.
• Michigan Stadium (The Big House): Located about 1.4 miles south, serving as a convenient off-campus parking base for game days with access to downtown shuttle routes.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

The lot provides seamless ingress and egress directly from West Huron Street (Business Loop I-94 / M-14 connector), which serves as one of Ann Arbor\'s primary east-west arterial corridors. Egress onto North First Street allows motorists to easily loop toward Miller Avenue or Washington Street, avoiding congested Main Street intersections during peak evening hours or event dismissals. Regional drivers benefit from quick connections to both M-14 and I-94 just a few minutes to the west. For public transit users, the Blake Transit Center—TheRide\'s central bus interchange—is situated only four blocks away, delivering high-frequency bus service throughout Washtenaw County, including university campuses and Michigan Medicine medical centers.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Open-Air Surface Parking: Generous outdoor bays with wide drive aisles and no height clearance restrictions.
• Digital Payment Options: Quick pay-by-plate ticketing via on-site multi-space pay stations and mobile integration through the ePark Ann Arbor / ParkMobile application.
• Accessibility: Clearly designated ADA-compliant accessible parking stalls situated close to pedestrian sidewalk curb ramps.
• Safety & Visibility: Well-lit premises with overhead illumination for safe evening arrivals and departures.
• Pedestrian Connectivity: Direct sidewalk access connecting seamlessly to the Huron Street and First Street pedestrian networks.

Ideal For

• Dining & Nightlife Visitors: An effortless parking option for dinner reservations, bar crawls, and weekend dates on Main Street.
• High-Profile & Oversized Vehicles: Contractors, trade vehicles, vans, and vehicles with rooftop cargo boxes that cannot risk parking deck clearance limits.
• Business Professionals & Commuters: Convenient daily parking for downtown corporate offices, co-working spaces, and city services.
• Family Outings: Ideal proximity for visitors heading to the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum and Kerrytown shops.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Payment is enforced through the municipal ePark system; be sure to remember your vehicle license plate number before walking over to the pay station or launching the mobile payment app. Street parking in municipal downtown lots is often free on Sundays and designated municipal holidays, though visitors should always confirm posted signage. During major community events like the Ann Arbor Art Fair, Hash Bash, or fall University of Michigan football Saturdays, this lot fills up rapidly; plan to arrive early in the morning to secure a stall.