About this Location

Facility Overview

Lot 20 is an expansive open-air university surface parking facility located on the campus of Central Michigan University (CMU) in Mount Pleasant, Michigan (ZIP code 48858). Serving students, university staff, and campus visitors, Lot 20 features clearly striped asphalt bays, standard drive lanes, and integrated pedestrian sidewalks that connect seamlessly into the campus circulation network. Because the facility is entirely uncovered at surface level, it has no vertical clearance restrictions or low-hanging overhead barriers, making it fully accommodating for standard passenger cars, large pickup trucks, full-size sport utility vehicles, and high-roof conversion vans alike.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Situated directly within the heart of CMU\'s vibrant academic and student life district, Lot 20 provides prime pedestrian access to numerous key university landmarks, venues, and recreational destinations:

Central Michigan University Academic Quads & Facilities: Positioned within a quick 5-to-10 minute walk of lecture halls, departmental offices, and student resource buildings.
Bovee University Center & Charles V. Park Library: Located a brief stroll away, offering student dining, bookstore shopping, study lounges, and research facilities.
CMU Student Activity Center (SAC): Within easy reach for gym users, fitness classes, and campus recreational leagues.
Kelly/Shorts Stadium & McGuirk Arena: A short walk or shuttle ride away for Chippewa football, basketball, gymnastics, and major athletic events.
Downtown Mount Pleasant: Located just a 5-minute drive north, featuring independent eateries, local coffee shops, and boutique retail.
Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort: Situated approximately 10 minutes east via M-20 (Pickard St), hosting national concert tours and gaming entertainment.
Chippewa River Parks: Minutes away from Mill Pond Park, Island Park, and Chipp-A-Waters Park for outdoor hiking, kayaking, and nature trails.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Access to Lot 20 is straightforward from key campus arterials including East Broomfield Road, South Mission Street (Business US-127), and Preston Avenue. Ingress and egress curb cuts provide wide turning aprons suited for heavy morning arrivals and late afternoon departures. Mount Pleasant is anchored by US-127 to the east and M-20 to the north, giving drivers seamless regional access from Lansing, Midland, Saginaw, and Alma. On-campus movement is further supported by the CMU campus shuttle routes and the Isabella County Transportation Commission (I-Ride) bus system, which connects campus facilities to downtown Mount Pleasant and retail hubs along Mission Street.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-Air Surface Parking: Generous surface stalls without overhead clearance obstacles for trucks and taller vehicles.
Accessible Stalls: Designated ADA-compliant parking stalls with adjacent access aisles and curb-cut ramp transitions.
Safety & Illumination: High-mast pole lighting providing illumination across drive lanes and walkways throughout evening and night hours.
Digital Payment & Permit Options: Integration with mobile payment solutions such as ParkMobile for short-term visitors, along with CMU digital parking permit options.
Campus Security Presence: Regular patrols conducted by the Central Michigan University Police Department (CMUPD) and emergency call stations nearby.

Ideal For

CMU Commuter & Resident Students: Convenient and dependable campus parking within easy walking distance of classrooms and student facilities.
Faculty & Staff: Seamless day-to-day work parking for nearby departmental buildings.
Campus Visitors & Prospective Students: Stress-free parking for campus tours, admissions appointments, and guest lectures.
Chippewa Athletic Fans: Practical game-day parking option for university sports competitions and arena events.

Visitor & Driver Tips

University parking regulations are actively enforced throughout the academic year. Visitors must ensure they pay for parking via the designated mobile application (such as ParkMobile) or display a valid university permit according to posted lot signs. During major campus events, commencement weekends, and Chippewa home football games, demand across campus rises quickly; visitors are strongly advised to arrive early to secure space and adhere to all posted overnight parking restrictions, particularly during winter snow emergencies when snow removal operations take place.