About this Location

Facility Overview

Located at 1380 3rd Ave E in scenic Big Stone Gap, Virginia, the MEOC Transit parking facility serves the primary administrative headquarters and transit operations hub of Mountain Empire Older Citizens (MEOC). This well-maintained, open-air surface parking lot provides convenient access for visitors, clients, transit patrons, and staff. Because the facility is entirely ground-level with open-sky clearance, there are no vertical height restrictions, making it exceptionally accommodating for high-roof passenger vans, lifted pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, and wheelchair-accessible paratransit vehicles.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Situated along the eastern corridor of Big Stone Gap in Wise County, this parking area connects visitors seamlessly to regional transportation services and local Appalachian heritage attractions:

Downtown Big Stone Gap & Historic District: Just a 3 to 4-minute drive (approx. 1.2 miles) away, offering local diners, boutique shopping, and historical architecture.
Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park: Located about 5 minutes (1.5 miles) to the west, showcasing the regional boom era in an authentic 1890s Victorian stone mansion.
Bullitt Park & Powell River Trail: Roughly 1.5 miles away, popular for outdoor walks, green space, local sports games, and community festivals.
Mountain Empire Community College (MECC): Located approximately 2.5 miles east, accessible within a short 5-minute drive via US-23 Business.
June Tolliver House and Folk Art Center: Less than 2 miles away, celebrating local Appalachian arts and the setting of John Fox Jr.’s classic novel, The Trail of the Lonesome Pine.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

The lot offers straightforward ingress and egress directly from 3rd Avenue East (US-23 Business), providing smooth vehicular movement even during peak morning and afternoon office hours. Regional connectivity is exceptionally strong, as the lot sits adjacent to major regional corridors including US Route 58 Alternate and the US-23 expressway, allowing swift access from Norton, Wise, and Lee County. As the core base for Mountain Empire Transit, the site offers direct access to rural public transit and demand-response mobility routes operating throughout the region.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Spacious, open-air surface lot with level paved asphalt parking bays.
Designated accessible (ADA-compliant) parking spaces with paved ramp access to the main administrative entrance.
No overhead height restrictions, welcoming large vehicles and high-top accessible conversion vans.
Exterior area lighting providing clear visibility during early morning and evening hours.
Complimentary on-site visitor parking for appointments, transit inquiries, and agency visits.

Ideal For

Community members, seniors, and caregivers accessing MEOC services, public transit programs, and nutrition resources.
Visitors attending community workshops, health clinics, and administrative consultations.
Commuters and passengers coordinating demand-response transit pickups or agency ride-share departures.
Contractors, staff members, and regional outreach workers conducting business across Wise County.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Parking in the visitor spaces is complimentary for clients and agency visitors during standard business hours. If you are coordinating a specialized transit pickup or meeting a transit vehicle, arrive 10 to 15 minutes ahead of schedule to check in at the main reception desk. Ensure your vehicle is parked strictly between marked lines, leaving designated bus turning zones, bay entrances, and agency van staging areas clear at all times.