Facility Overview
The Marshall University Police Parking lot is an open-air surface parking facility situated immediately adjacent to the Bliss Charles Public Safety Building at the corner of 5th Avenue and 18th Street on the Marshall University campus in Huntington, West Virginia. Serving as the primary parking staging area for the Marshall University Police Department (MUPD) and the university's Office of Parking and Transportation, this facility features well-organized paved surface spaces clearly delineated for official law enforcement vehicles, departmental staff, and short-term visitor business. Because this is a wide-open surface lot free of overhead low-clearance decking, it easily accommodates all vehicle classes, including compact sedans, full-size crossover SUVs, half-ton and heavy-duty pickup trucks, high-roof service vans, and rooftop-accessorized utility vehicles.
Prime Location & Nearby Attractions
Located on the eastern fringe of the university's central academic core, this facility offers immediate access to major campus landmarks and local entertainment hubs. Directly across 5th Avenue sit the Twin Towers East and West residence halls, while the state-of-the-art Marshall Recreation Center is just a four-minute walk (0.2 miles) to the east. Sports fans and visitors to Marshall Athletics will find Joan C. Edwards Stadium—home of the Thundering Herd football program—located only a seven-minute walk (0.4 miles) to the northeast. The Cam Henderson Center, hosting NCAA Division I basketball and volleyball, is within a six-minute walk (0.3 miles) heading north toward 3rd Avenue. Furthermore, the Memorial Student Center, Drinko Library, and the classic campus center around Old Main are all reachable within an easy five- to eight-minute stroll. Popular dining spots along the 5th Avenue and 20th Street student corridors, including local favorites like Fat Patty's and Tudor's Biscuit World, are also situated within convenient walking distance.
Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity
Vehicle entry and exit are straightforward, with dedicated curb cuts situated along 18th Street and 5th Avenue. 5th Avenue serves as a primary east-west arterial through Huntington, seamlessly linking motorists to US Route 60 and connecting directly south via Hal Greer Boulevard (16th Street) to Interstate 64 (Exit 11), allowing regional drivers quick highway access without city bottlenecking. Tri-State Transit Authority (TTA) municipal bus routes operate regularly along 5th and 4th Avenues, providing affordable public transit across Cabell County, while the Huntington Amtrak Station is situated approximately 1.5 miles to the west in Downtown Huntington.
Facility Amenities & Key Features
- Convenient open-air surface parking layout with no overhead clearance limits, accommodating oversized trucks and tall vehicles.
- Continuous 24-hour on-site law enforcement presence, monitored continuously by Marshall University Police Department officers.
- High-illumination perimeter safety lighting and closed-circuit campus security cameras.
- Designated ADA accessible parking stalls located closest to the Public Safety Building entry ramp.
- Direct indoor access to the Parking Enforcement Office, where visitors can purchase official one-day campus parking permits, temporary tags, and semester passes.
- Clearly marked reserved bays ensuring effortless navigation and dedicated spaces for permitted business visitors.
Ideal For
- Visitors and community members conducting official business with the Marshall University Police Department or campus public safety officials.
- Drivers needing to purchase daily, weekly, or visitor university parking permits directly from the Parking & Transportation window.
- Family members and friends visiting residential students residing in nearby Twin Towers, Freshmen South, or Holderby Hall.
- Eventgoers and sports enthusiasts seeking accessible perimeter parking within walking distance of Thundering Herd athletic venues.
Visitor & Driver Tips
Because this facility houses university law enforcement, parking regulations are strictly enforced 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. General public visitors should never park in spots designated for police cruisers or university emergency vehicles. If visiting campus for meetings, tours, or events, stop inside the Parking Enforcement Office in the Bliss Charles Public Safety Building during regular business hours (Monday through Friday) to acquire a valid daily visitor parking pass before leaving your vehicle unattended. During major home football games and campus commencement ceremonies, surface lots around 18th Street experience heightened traffic and restricted access, so drivers should arrive early and follow instructions from posted signage and traffic marshals.