About this Location

Facility Overview

Central Michigan University Parking Lot 10 is an open-air, paved municipal and campus surface lot conveniently situated along South Franklin Street in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Positioned in the historic northern core of the CMU main campus, this metered and short-term visitor facility directly neighbors high-traffic university hubs including the Bovee University Center, the CMU Bookstore, and Warriner Hall. As a surface facility, Lot 10 provides open-sky parking without vertical clearance restrictions, making it an excellent choice for standard passenger vehicles, full-size SUVs, pickup trucks, and high-roof conversion vans that cannot fit into standard covered parking garages.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Lot 10 places drivers within immediate walking distance of major academic, administrative, and cultural landmarks across Central Michigan University:

Bovee University Center & CMU Bookstore: Located right next to the lot, providing rapid access to campus dining, student services, meeting spaces, and collegiate retail (1-minute walk).
Warriner Hall & Plachta Auditorium: Historic administrative cornerstone hosting university leadership offices and premier musical performances and guest lectures (2-minute walk).
Charles V. Park Library & Clarke Historical Library: Central Michigan University's primary research and study center, located just south across Preston Street (3-minute walk).
University Art Gallery & Wightman Hall: Fine arts exhibitions, workshops, and performance halls situated immediately east (3-to-4-minute walk).
Finch Fieldhouse: Historic multi-purpose athletic facility hosting intramural events, club sports, and university gatherings (5-minute walk).
Downtown Mt. Pleasant: Historic downtown shopping, local breweries, and casual eateries along Broadway and Main Street are located just one mile north (under a 5-minute drive).

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Vehicular ingress and egress for Lot 10 are direct and clearly marked off South Franklin Street, situated smoothly between East Bellows Street to the north and East Preston Street to the south. Navigating out after lectures, campus tours, or evening auditorium events is straightforward, with Franklin Street providing low-stress connectivity to South Mission Street (US-127 Business Loop) and West Broomfield Street. Campus transit is seamless thanks to nearby stops serviced by the Isabella County Transportation Commission (I-Ride), offering dial-a-ride and fixed campus shuttle services. Regional motorists can easily connect to regional arterials including US-127 and M-20 (Pickard Road) within minutes.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Convenient open-air surface parking layout with clear stall striping and generous drive lanes.
No overhead vehicle height limitations, catering to lifted pickups, commercial delivery vans, and rooftop gear racks.
Mobile-pay parking meters and digital payment support via designated mobile parking applications (such as Pango).
Designated ADA-accessible parking spaces located closest to building pedestrian pathways.
Campus safety infrastructure featuring well-lit paved grounds, blue-light emergency phones, and regular patrols by CMU Police Department.
Official campus drop-box access for university administration and billing paperwork.

Ideal For

Prospective students, parents, and campus visitors touring CMU or visiting the Bovee University Center.
Patrons attending concerts, speaker series, and recitals at Warriner Hall's Plachta Auditorium.
Students and researchers heading into Park Library and the Clarke Historical Library for short-term study sessions.
Campus bookstore shoppers and vendors handling administrative business at Warriner Hall or OneCentral.
Event attendees visiting arts and lecture exhibits at Wightman Hall and the University Art Gallery.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Permit & Meter Enforcement Hours: Metered spaces are monitored during active university business hours, typically Monday through Friday from 2:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Always check posted lot signage and mobile app guidelines to avoid parking citations.
Front-Plate Regulations: Note that CMU parking policies generally require head-in parking unless your vehicle is equipped with a university-issued or state-issued front license plate.
Peak Arrival Hours: Parking stalls in Lot 10 turn over frequently throughout the day, but peak demand occurs mid-morning through early afternoon (10:00 AM to 2:00 PM) on weekdays during the fall and spring semesters.
Major Event Days: During campus-wide celebrations such as Homecoming, commencement ceremonies, or athletic rivalries, consider arriving early or utilizing larger auxiliary commuter lots along Broomfield Street.