Facility Overview

LOT 44 is an expansive open-air university surface parking facility located on the southern end of the Central Michigan University (CMU) campus in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Situated just off Woldt Drive between the south residential quads, the lot provides essential vehicular access for university residents, visiting family, students, and university staff. The asphalt lot features a straightforward grid configuration with clear lane circulation, dedicated entry and exit curb cuts, and direct sidewalk integration. Because LOT 44 is an outdoor ground-level facility with no overhead decks, garages, or low-hanging clearance bars, there are no vertical clearance restrictions. It comfortably accommodates tall pickup trucks, high-roof conversion vans, full-size sport utility vehicles, standard sedans, and cargo transport vehicles used during campus move-in and move-out periods.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Positioned within immediate walking distance of major south campus living communities and key sports complexes, LOT 44 serves as an anchor for both student life and athletics. Key destinations within direct walking proximity include:

• South Campus Residence Halls & Dining: Directly adjacent to Emmons Hall, Woldt Hall, Saxe Hall, Herrig Hall, Merrill Hall, and Merrill Dining Hall (1–3 minutes on foot).
• The Towers Complex: Celani Hall, Fabiano Hall, Kulhavi Hall, Carey Hall, and Troutman Hall are just across the quad (3–5 minutes on foot).
• John G. Kulhavi Events Center & McGuirk Arena: Home to CMU Chippewas basketball, gymnastics, and headline concerts, located less than an 8-minute walk to the south.
• Kelly/Shorts Stadium: CMU’s 30,000-seat football stadium, easily reachable within a 10-minute walk south toward Broomfield Road.
• Student Activity Center (SAC) & Rose Center: The hub for campus recreation, pools, intramural sports, and fitness facilities (7-minute walk).
• Academic Core: The Education & Human Services (EHS) Building, Bioscience Building, and Engineering & Technology (IET) Building are located a short walk north along Central Drive.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

LOT 44 is primarily accessed via Woldt Drive, which connects easily to Central Drive, East Campus Drive, and West Campus Drive. Regional drivers can reach the facility quickly from US-127 Business Route (South Mission Street) by turning west onto Broomfield Road or Preston Street, allowing motorists to circumvent city center traffic. Broad curb aisles allow convenient two-way maneuvering, making ingress and egress smooth even during morning lectures and campus events. For public transit, the Isabella County Transportation Commission (I-Ride) bus shuttle system operates campus circulators and town routes with designated stops along East Campus Drive and Broomfield Road, granting vehicle-free connectivity throughout Mount Pleasant and downtown shopping corridors.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Open-Air Surface Parking: Generous outdoor footprint with no height ceilings, permitting elevated trucks and rooftop racks.
• Safety Infrastructure: Equipped with overhead dusk-to-dawn LED pole floodlights and nearby campus Blue Light Emergency Phones connected directly to CMU Police dispatch.
• ADA Accessibility: Level-grade marked handicap-accessible parking spaces situated closest to residential hall entrances and pedestrian crosswalks.
• Pedestrian Connectivity: Paved, illuminated pathways integrated into the university's priority winter-maintenance Critical Paths system.
• Permit & Payment Convenience: Managed under CMU Parking Services, utilizing digital permit credentialing and mobile payment apps where short-term parking stalls are designated.

Ideal For

• South Campus Residents: Students living in the South Complex and Towers residence halls holding CMU South residential permits.
• Move-In & Move-Out Weekends: Families loading and unloading gear for students living in neighboring halls.
• Chippewa Athletic Fans: Game-day attendees and spectators heading to basketball and gymnastics events at McGuirk Arena or football tailgating at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
• Campus Visitors & Guests: Parents, recruiters, and university guests stopping by residential life centers or student services with valid visitor parking credentials.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Parking regulations on the CMU campus are actively monitored. CMU parking permits are typically enforced between 2:00 AM and 5:00 PM on weekdays, and unauthorized overnight parking without an active resident parking permit is strictly restricted. If visiting for an event, check ahead whether event parking rates or temporary guest permits are required through the CMU Parking Services portal or mobile payment system. On fall football game days, surrounding campus roadways experience heavy traffic and altered traffic flows; drivers are strongly encouraged to arrive at least an hour before game kickoff. In winter, pay attention to posted snow removal advisory notices to avoid ticketing or towing during university plowing operations.