Facility Overview

Lot 69 is an expansive open-air surface parking facility situated on the southern edge of the Central Michigan University (CMU) campus in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Located along Denison Drive adjacent to the university's research park, this ground-level asphalt lot offers unobstructed maneuverability and a spacious layout designed to handle regular campus traffic, athletic spectators, and business park visitors. Because Lot 69 is completely open-air without overhead decks, beams, or parking barriers, there are no vertical clearance limits, making it fully suitable for high-profile vehicles including full-size pickup trucks, large SUVs, conversion vans, and commercial service vehicles. Designated primarily for university faculty, staff, and authorized permit holders during core academic hours, the facility also provides visitor accessibility in accordance with university parking regulations.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Lot 69 occupies a strategic southern campus location bridging university athletic facilities, research hubs, and commercial lodging:

• CMU Research Corporation (CMURC) & SmartZone Incubator: Situated directly along Denison Drive, making Lot 69 a prime parking spot for tech entrepreneurs, conference attendees, and corporate clients visiting 2625 Denison Drive.
• Theunissen Stadium: CMU’s premier collegiate baseball venue sits immediately north of the lot, offering fans a convenient short walk of under 5 minutes on game days.
• CMU Disc Golf Course: An 18-hole campus disc golf destination that wraps around the recreational grounds immediately adjacent to the parking lot perimeter.
• Kelly/Shorts Stadium & McGuirk Arena: Located just a brief walk (approximately 8 to 12 minutes north across Broomfield Road), ideal for overflow athletic parking during Chippewas football, basketball, and commencement events.
• Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Mount Pleasant: Located just east off University Park Drive, convenient for visiting families and guests staying within walking distance of campus facilities.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress to Lot 69 are direct and uncomplicated. Drivers can access Denison Drive via Three Leaves Drive, Tower Drive, or West Campus Drive, connecting smoothly with Deerfield Road to the south and Broomfield Road to the north. Its position south of the main academic quad allows motorists to bypass congested core campus intersections, ensuring a quicker, low-stress exit after baseball doubleheaders or peak commute hours. Regional drivers benefit from rapid connectivity to US-127 and the US-127 Business Loop (South Mission Street), both reachable within a 3- to 5-minute drive. Public transportation is supported by the Isabella County Transportation Commission (I-RIDE) shuttle system, which operates campus and citywide bus routes with nearby scheduled stops.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Open-Air Surface Parking: Generous driving lanes and surface stalls offering wide sightlines and zero clearance restrictions.
• ADA Accessible Stalls: Clearly marked handicap parking stalls located close to pedestrian curb cuts and facility walkways.
• Campus Safety Infrastructure: Illuminating overhead security lighting, CMU Police Department patrols, and proximity to campus Blue Light emergency call boxes.
• Digital Permitting & Mobile Pay: Virtual parking permit integration managed via the CMU Parking Services portal and mobile payment platforms.
• Year-Round Maintenance: Routine winter snow plowing, de-icing, and maintained surface striping.

Ideal For

• CMU Faculty, Staff & Researchers: University employees and researchers working at nearby academic and development buildings.
• CMURC Entrepreneurs & Visitors: Business delegates, clients, and remote workers attending meetings at the Central Michigan University Research Corporation.
• Chippewas Baseball & Sports Spectators: Fans attending home baseball series at Theunissen Stadium or events across the south athletic complex.
• Recreational Visitors: Disc golf players utilizing the 18-hole university course.
• Campus Guests & Weekend Visitors: Drivers looking for reliable, easy-access parking during non-restricted evening and weekend hours.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Central Michigan University enforces parking through automated License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology. Because Michigan does not issue standard front plates, drivers must park head-in so their rear license plate faces the driving lane; backing into or pulling through a stall without a university-approved front replica plate may result in a parking violation. CMU parking permits are enforced Monday through Friday between 2:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Guests visiting during standard university hours can purchase an affordable daily visitor permit online through parking.cmich.edu. General parking rules typically relax after 5:00 PM on weekdays and across weekends, but always verify on-site entrance signage during varsity athletic tournaments and high-attendance stadium game days.