About this Location

Facility Overview

Parking Lot A at 3303 Fifth Avenue provides a convenient, street-level open-air surface parking solution in Pittsburgh\'s bustling Oakland medical and university corridor. Strategically positioned on the border of West Oakland and Central Oakland adjacent to the Carlow University campus, the lot features straightforward ground-level parking with direct drive-in ingress. Because it is a completely open surface lot, there are no vertical overhead clearance restrictions, making it exceptionally well-suited for high-profile vehicles, full-size pickup trucks, passenger vans, and SUVs with roof racks or cargo carriers that cannot navigate traditional multi-level parking garages.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

This parking facility is ideally situated for students, medical professionals, patients, and academic visitors navigating the major institutions in Oakland:

Carlow University: Directly adjacent to campus facilities, residence halls, and athletic grounds (1–3 minute walk).
UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital: Located just a few blocks south on Halket Street (approximately a 6–8 minute walk).
University of Pittsburgh (Pitt): A short walk or swift transit ride to major academic landmarks, including the Cathedral of Learning, Posvar Hall, and David Lawrence Hall (10–15 minute walk).
Petersen Events Center & UPMC Presbyterian/Montefiore: Conveniently located within 0.7 miles for sports events, concerts, or clinical appointments.
Forbes & Fifth Avenue Dining: Quick access to numerous local eateries, coffee shops, and student-friendly casual dining along Fifth and Forbes Avenues.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Vehicle entry is accessed directly from Fifth Avenue, a primary one-way eastbound thoroughfare connecting Pittsburgh\'s Downtown and Uptown districts to Oakland and the East End. Drivers should note the dedicated transit and bus priority lanes along Fifth Avenue when executing turns into the facility. Exiting the facility is straightforward, feeding directly back into local avenues with rapid access to the Boulevard of the Allies (PA-885) and Interstate 376 (Parkway East) via the Bates Street or Forbes Avenue interchanges. Additionally, Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) operates frequent rapid bus lines along Fifth Avenue (including routes 61A, 61B, 61C, 61D, 71A, 71B, and 71D), making multi-modal transit transfers seamless.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-air surface parking with no maximum height clearance limitations
Clearly demarcated parking bays with ample turnaround space
Designated ADA accessible parking stalls near street access points
Paved asphalt surface equipped with perimeter lighting for evening visibility
Digital and mobile payment convenience options (such as ParkMobile or on-site pay-by-plate kiosks)

Ideal For

Carlow University students, faculty, adjunct staff, and campus visitors
UPMC hospital visitors, outpatient appointments, and healthcare workers
University of Pittsburgh students and sports attendees attending Petersen Events Center matches
Commuters seeking convenient parking along the rapid transit Fifth Avenue corridor

Visitor & Driver Tips

When approaching the lot, stay alert to bus-only lanes along Fifth Avenue and signal your turn well in advance. During University move-in weeks, commencement ceremonies, or peak healthcare shift changes, spaces can fill quickly; arriving early or reserving via mobile parking platforms when active is recommended. Always take note of your space or license plate number to ensure quick processing at the payment station.