About this Location

Facility Overview

Parking Lot 5 is an open-air surface parking facility situated in Altoona, Pennsylvania (ZIP 16601). Strategically positioned near the bustling medical and civic district adjacent to downtown Altoona and the prominent UPMC Altoona healthcare campus, this lot provides accessible, ground-level vehicular accommodations for patients, healthcare professionals, daily commuters, and local visitors. Because this is an open surface lot without low-hanging ceiling beams, multi-level garage decks, or restrictive overhead entry barriers, it easily accommodates a diverse range of motor vehicles. Standard compact cars, full-size sedans, light trucks, extended cab pickups, large SUVs, and even high-profile conversion or commercial vans can enter, park, and maneuver without clearance concerns.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Situated in the heart of Blair County, Parking Lot 5 puts drivers within walking or quick driving distance of numerous key regional destinations:

UPMC Altoona Hospital & Medical Pavilions: Located within short walking distance, making it an essential option for medical staff, clinic appointments, and hospital visitors.
Downtown Altoona Historic District: Just minutes away, offering access to heritage architecture, local diners, cafes, government offices, and legal practices.
Penn State Altoona Downtown Campus: Approximately a 3-minute drive or brisk walk to the Devorris Downtown Center, Aaron Building, and Kazmaier Family Building.
Mishler Theatre: About a 4-minute drive (1 mile) southwest, Altoona\'s premier historic venue for theatrical productions, live concerts, and performing arts.
Railroaders Memorial Museum: Located less than 1.5 miles away, celebrating the rich locomotive heritage of the Pennsylvania Railroad and Horseshoe Curve region.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Drivers can conveniently access Parking Lot 5 via major regional thoroughfares including 7th Street, Chestnut Avenue, and Howard Avenue, which link directly to Interstate 99 (US-220) and Business Route 220. Wide ingress and egress access points help maintain smooth traffic flow during peak morning shift changes and late-afternoon departures. For those utilizing public transit, local AMTRAN (Altoona Metro Transit) bus stops are stationed along nearby cross streets, connecting to routes across Blair County. Additionally, the Altoona Transportation Center—providing intercity rail travel via Amtrak’s Pennsylvanian line—is situated just over a mile away.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-Air Surface Parking: Generous open sky headroom with no vertical clearance restrictions for tall vehicles or rooftop carriers.
Designated Accessible Spaces: Marked ADA-compliant parking spaces positioned closest to pedestrian pathways and sidewalks.
Clear Striping & Pavement Markings: Well-defined stalls and driving lanes that provide organized traffic flow and safe pedestrian movement.
Overhead Lighting: Perimeter and pole-mounted illumination designed to enhance night-time visibility and safety for evening visitors and shift workers.
Paved Asphalt Surface: Regularly maintained tarmac surface with seasonal snow and ice management during Pennsylvania winters.

Ideal For

Medical Visitors & Patients: Seeking straightforward, direct ground-level parking near UPMC Altoona and neighborhood clinics.
Healthcare Workers & Shift Staff: Reliable, easily accessible parking during early-morning or late-night shift rotations.
Local Business Commuters: Professionals conducting business at nearby municipal offices, downtown law firms, and administrative buildings.
Penn State Altoona Students & Faculty: Anyone commuting to downtown academic buildings and workshops.

Visitor & Driver Tips

During standard weekday clinic and office hours (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM), nearby parking demand rises steadily; arriving 10 to 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment or shift helps guarantee a quick parking experience. Keep an eye out for posted signage regarding visitor regulations, permit requirements, or medical-pass validations if visiting specific healthcare buildings. During winter months, exercise standard caution after regional snowfall, as exterior stalls and walkways may encounter black ice before mid-day treatment.