About this Location

Facility Overview

The McClung Plaza Parking Garage (commonly known across campus as the McClung Tower Garage or Staff Lot 9 / Student Commuter facility) is an essential multi-level covered parking structure located in the heart of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) campus at coordinates 35.953964, -83.928854. Situated directly beneath and adjacent to the iconic Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) complex and McClung Tower, this parking deck provides weather-protected vehicle storage for university staff, registered commuter students, and campus visitors. Standard passenger sedans, compact crossovers, and mid-size SUVs can comfortably navigate the facility, though drivers of oversized pickup trucks, lifted utility vehicles, or high-roof commercial vans should observe posted overhead height clearance restrictions (typically around 6 feet 8 inches to 7 feet) standard to UTK parking decks.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Positioned on the central-to-western side of the main Knoxville campus, this garage boasts immediate proximity to several of the university’s most notable academic and cultural landmarks:

McClung Tower and Humanities & Social Sciences (HSS): Located directly above and adjacent to the garage, offering direct indoor and covered pedestrian access.
Hodges Library: Less than a 3-minute walk (under 500 feet), making this facility an exceptional stop for students, researchers, and academic visitors.
Student Union: Approximately a 5-minute walk eastward, providing access to dining, bookstores, and student services.
Neyland Stadium: Approximately an 8- to 10-minute walk down toward the river, serving as a highly strategic parking and staging zone on football game days subject to university athletic permits.
Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center: Within a 10-to-12-minute walk for major concerts, basketball games, and commencement ceremonies.
The Strip (Cumberland Avenue): A brief 5-minute stroll north to Cumberland Avenue, featuring a vibrant corridor of local eateries, coffee shops, and nightlife venues.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress to the garage are primarily routed via Volunteer Boulevard and Melrose Avenue, connecting smoothly to Andy Holt Avenue and Phillip Fulmer Way. During peak class changes and football home games, traffic along Volunteer Boulevard can become dense, so drivers are advised to plan for potential delays. The location is seamlessly integrated with the ‘T’ Bus transit network, UTK’s free on-campus shuttle service, which has frequent stops along Volunteer Boulevard. For regional travel, drivers enjoy fast connections to Neyland Drive, US-129 (Alcoa Highway), and Interstate 40 via 17th Street or 22nd Street exits.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Covered Multi-Level Deck: Protects vehicles from rain, direct sun, and winter freezing.
ADA Accessible Stalls: Designated handicap-accessible spaces located close to elevator shafts and pedestrian ramps leading to McClung Plaza.
Campus Safety & Security: Well-lit decks monitored by UT Police Department (UTPD) patrols, campus CCTV systems, and integrated Emergency Blue Light phones.
Permit & Digital Payment Systems: Managed through UT Parking & Transit Services, integrating ParkMobile and digital permit management for guests and valid campus affiliates.
Elevator & Stair Access: Rapid vertical transit connecting garage levels directly to the open-air McClung Plaza and upper campus walkways.

Ideal For

University Faculty & Staff: Convenient daily commuting for personnel working in McClung Tower, HSS, and neighboring academic buildings.
Hodges Library Visitors: Researchers, guest scholars, and students requiring immediate proximity to the main library collection.
Campus Event Attendees: Convenient access for academic conferences, guest lectures, and student presentations at the central campus core.
Volunteers Athletic Fans: Game-day permit holders attending events at Neyland Stadium or Thompson-Boling Arena.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Check Permit Enforcement Hours: Campus parking regulations are strictly enforced from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Ensure you have the appropriate digital pass or paid visitor parking session to avoid ticketing.
Game Day Restrictions: On UT home football Saturdays, parking spaces are strictly reserved for Tennessee Fund athletics donors and permit holders. Non-permitted vehicles must be moved prior to game day enforcement windows.
Peak Hour Navigation: Morning rush between 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM sees high turnover and pedestrian traffic across McClung Plaza; exercise heightened caution for walking students near all ramp transitions.