Facility Overview

Situated on the southern end of the Central Michigan University (CMU) campus in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Lot 62E is an expansive open-air asphalt surface parking lot positioned directly along East Campus Drive and Broomfield Road. Serving as a crucial hub for commuter students, South Campus residents, university staff, and event attendees, this high-capacity lot features wide, straightforward two-way drive aisles and clearly marked standard parking stalls. Because it is a surface-level lot with no overhead barriers or parking deck ceilings, Lot 62E offers unobstructed vertical clearance, making it suitable for standard passenger vehicles, pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, and high-roof conversion vans. While the facility easily accommodates larger passenger vehicles, oversized commercial trucks and detached trailers are restricted according to university parking guidelines.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Lot 62E boasts an enviable location directly adjacent to Central Michigan University's primary athletic and recreation complexes, making it one of the most strategic parking areas on campus. Key surrounding venues within an easy 2- to 8-minute walk include:

• Kelly/Shorts Stadium & Kramer/Deromedi Field: Home of Chippewas Division I football, located immediately adjacent to the lot just steps away from the north end zone scoreboard.
• John G. Kulhavi Events Center & McGuirk Arena: A top-tier indoor arena hosting CMU men's and women's basketball, gymnastics, wrestling, and major campus concerts, situated about a 4-minute walk northwest.
• Student Activity Center (SAC) & Rose Center: The central campus fitness, intramural sports, and aquatic facility, within a 5-minute walk.
• Cristy Freese Bennett Track & Field Complex and Keilitz Field at Theunissen Stadium: CMU's collegiate track, soccer, and baseball venues, situated immediately west and northwest.
• South Campus Residence Halls: Convenient access to Merrill, Sweeney, Saxe, Herrig, Emmons, Celani, and Fabiano Halls, all within a 5- to 10-minute walk.
• Courtyard by Marriott Mount Pleasant: Located just east off East Campus Drive, providing easy parking proximity for hotel visitors attending university games and conferences.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Vehicle ingress and egress for Lot 62E are primarily coordinated via East Campus Drive, with immediate links to Broomfield Road to the north and South Mission Street (US-127 Business Route) to the east. Drivers arriving from regional routes can access the lot directly from US-127 via the Broomfield Road exit, bypassing central campus traffic entirely. Following high-attendance football games or arena concerts, local traffic officers and CMU Police actively direct flow onto East Campus Drive and Broomfield Road to facilitate orderly departures. For public transportation, Isabella County Transportation Commission (I-Ride) bus and shuttle services connect nearby stops with downtown Mount Pleasant, commercial centers on Mission Street, and greater Isabella County.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Open-Air Surface Parking: Expansive layout offering clear sightlines and hassle-free maneuvering without height-clearance restrictions.
• ADA Accessible Stalls: Marked barrier-free parking spaces positioned near paved pedestrian walkways with curb cuts leading directly to athletic facilities.
• Campus Security & Illumination: High-mast pole lighting provides evening illumination, complemented by routine patrols from the CMU Police Department and nearby Blue Light emergency phones.
• Permit & Digital Payment Systems: Operates under CMU Parking Services virtual permit enforcement via License Plate Recognition (LPR), with short-term and guest parking supported via mobile apps (such as Pango) and digital event passes through Paciolan.
• Pedestrian Wayfinding: Dedicated, illuminated footpaths connecting straight to Kelly/Shorts Stadium gates, the SAC, and academic thoroughfares.

Ideal For

• Chippewas Game-Day Fans: Tailgaters, alumni, and football supporters attending games at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
• Arena & Concert Guests: Attendees headed to basketball games, gymnastics meets, and entertainment at McGuirk Arena and Kulhavi Events Center.
• CMU Commuters & South Campus Residents: Students and staff holding authorized commuter (C) or South (S) campus parking permits.
• Campus Visitors & Conference Delegates: Guests attending seminars, athletic camps, and university events at the Student Activity Center or adjacent athletic venues.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Lot 62E requires an active CMU parking permit or paid visitor session Monday through Friday between 2:00 AM and 5:00 PM throughout the academic year. CMU utilizes automated License Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras for enforcement, meaning vehicles must park with their registered license plate facing the drive lane; backing into stalls is strictly prohibited unless an official front university plate is mounted. On Chippewa football game days, standard permit rules are superseded by athletics event operations; parking passes are frequently digital-only (stored in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet) and cash is not accepted on-site. Visitors arriving for sellout events should aim to arrive at least 60 to 90 minutes before kickoff or game time to secure a space and avoid traffic congestion along Mission Street and Broomfield Road.