Facility Overview

Situated in the heart of the southern residential quadrant of Central Michigan University (CMU) in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Lot 41 is a dedicated paved surface parking lot serving the university community. Positioned immediately adjacent to the iconic CMU Towers residential complex (including Carey Hall, Kulhavi Hall, and nearby residences) and Carey Dining facilities, this open-air parking facility provides vital vehicle access directly into campus. Because it is a level, open-air surface lot without structural overhangs or low-clearance decks, Lot 41 boasts open headroom clearance, effortlessly accommodating passenger cars, large light-duty pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, and service vans that comply with standard parking space stall dimensions.

Drivers should be acutely aware of university-specific parking designations: unlike many other CMU parking zones where permit restrictions ease during evening hours and weekends, Lot 41 is strictly enforced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Reserved primarily for authorized university faculty, staff, and designated university permit holders, this parking lot requires strict adherence to CMU parking regulations to avoid immediate citation.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Lot 41 offers an unbeatable location for faculty, staff, and authorized visitors needing direct access to residential, athletic, and academic facilities across CMU's Mount Pleasant campus:

• Towers Residence Complex & Dining: Located right steps away from Kulhavi Hall, Celani Hall, Fabiano Hall, Carey Hall, Sweeney Hall, and The Eatery at Carey Dining.
• John G. Kulhavi Events Center & McGuirk Arena: Located just a 5 to 7-minute walk south (approx. 0.3 miles), hosting NCAA Division I Chippewa men's and women's basketball, gymnastics, concerts, and major commencement ceremonies.
• Student Activity Center (SAC) & Rose Center: Within a 6-minute walk, providing comprehensive fitness facilities, swimming pools, intramural courts, and recreation spaces for the university community.
• Kelly/Shorts Stadium: Situated about a 10 to 12-minute walk south, the 30,000-seat home of CMU Chippewas football.
• South Academic Core: Short walking distances to the Education and Human Services (EHS) Building, Biosciences Building, and the Engineering and Technology (IET) Building.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Lot 41 is accessed through the campus roadway network via Central Drive, Calumet Drive, and Ojibway Court, connecting seamlessly to major campus thoroughfares such as Broomfield Road to the south and East Campus Drive to the east. Ingress and egress are straightforward through marked two-way drive aisles designed for steady campus speeds.

Motorists traveling from regional hubs can reach campus easily via US-127 (taking the CMU / Broomfield Road exit or Business Route 127/Mission Street) and M-20 (Pickard Street). For public transportation, the lot is served by local Isabella County Transportation Commission (I-Ride) bus routes that loop through campus, linking student housing, campus centers, and commercial retail corridors along Mission Street and downtown Mount Pleasant.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Open-Air Surface Parking: Level asphalt pavement with open overhead clearance accommodating tall vehicles, trucks, and roof-racked SUVs.
• Strict 24/7 Permit Enforcement: Monitored around the clock by Central Michigan University Police & Parking Services to guarantee space availability for designated permit holders.
• Safety & Lighting: Overhead pole illumination for late-evening security, campus emergency blue-light call boxes in the immediate vicinity, and regular campus police patrols.
• Accessible Stalls: Clearly designated ADA-compliant spaces with paved access pathways leading toward residence halls and dining complexes.
• Pedestrian Infrastructure: Direct connections to campus sidewalks and lit walking corridors throughout the Towers area.

Ideal For

• CMU Faculty & Staff: University educators, administrative staff, and residential life directors working within the Towers complex and surrounding southern academic buildings.
• Authorized Campus Service Personnel: Facilities management and dining service workers needing convenient vehicle access to Carey Dining and residential facilities.
• University Staff Attending Campus Events: Authorized permit holders attending games or lectures at McGuirk Arena or the Student Activity Center.

Visitor & Driver Tips

General visitors, eventgoers, and non-permit holders must exercise extreme caution: Lot 41 is one of the rare lots on the CMU campus where general parking is never permitted, even on weekends, holidays, or after 5:00 PM. Parking here without the required valid 24/7 faculty/staff permit will result in ticketing and possible towing. Guests visiting students in the Towers or attending athletic competitions should obtain a university guest permit for authorized visitor lots or utilize nearby metered/mobile pay lots (such as Lot 33, Lot 62, or stadium event parking).