About this Location

Facility Overview

Parking Lot C is a primary surface parking facility situated along Arnold B. Grobman Drive on the North Campus of the University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL) in St. Louis, MO (63121). Designed as an expansive, open-air asphalt surface lot, Lot C provides direct, grade-level parking without the overhead height restrictions typical of campus parking decks. This unobstructed, open-sky layout makes it exceptionally accommodating for a diverse array of vehicle classes, including compact passenger vehicles, standard sedans, large pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, and passenger vans. The lot features wide circulation lanes, clear stall markings, and dedicated accessible parking stalls close to campus walkways.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Lot C boasts an exceptional location on the UMSL North Campus, serving as one of the most convenient parking destinations for campus visitors, patrons of the arts, students, and academic professionals. Key points of interest in immediate walking distance include:

Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center: Located just a 2 to 4-minute walk across Arnold B. Grobman Drive, making Lot C an ideal staging area for concerts, theater productions, comedy shows, and touring performing arts.
Millennium Student Center (MSC): Approximately 5 to 7 minutes on foot, providing access to student dining, the campus bookstore, conference rooms, and administrative hubs.
Thomas Jefferson Library & St. Louis Mercantile Library: Situated about a 6-minute walk away, perfect for researchers and academic visitors.
Mark Twain Athletic Center: Located roughly an 8-minute walk to the north, home to UMSL Tritons athletics and recreation facilities.
Express Scripts / Evernorth Corporate Headquarters: Situated adjacent to the eastern edge of the UMSL North Campus, easily reachable within a 3-minute drive or brisk walk.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress for Lot C are serviced smoothly from Arnold B. Grobman Drive, which loops cleanly through the North Campus and connects directly to Natural Bridge Road and University Drive. Regional vehicular access is remarkably straightforward via Interstate 70 (I-70), with exits at Florissant Road or Hanley Road bringing drivers to the lot within 3 to 5 minutes. Following major campus events or large performances at the Touhill Performing Arts Center, campus traffic marshals often assist in streamlining flow back toward I-70 and Natural Bridge Road. For public transit connections, the MetroLink light rail UMSL North Station is situated just a short 5-minute walk away, delivering effortless Red Line train service directly to St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), Central West End, and Downtown St. Louis.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-Air Surface Parking: Generous vertical clearance with no overhead barriers, ideal for tall utility vehicles, high-profile SUVs, and light trucks.
ADA Accessible Stalls: Clearly designated, van-accessible stalls located closest to accessible walkways and crosswalks.
Campus Security & Lighting: Equipped with overhead dusk-to-dawn lighting fixtures and routinely monitored by the University of Missouri–St. Louis Campus Police Department.
Pedestrian Connectivity: Paved, lit pedestrian sidewalks connecting straight to Touhill PAC and the central campus quad.
Straightforward Event Parking: Serves as a premier designated parking area for major evening and weekend theatrical productions and university commencement ceremonies.

Ideal For

Theater & Concert Attendees: Patrons visiting the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center seeking rapid ingress and quick exits.
UMSL Campus Visitors & Guest Lecturers: Guests attending meetings, symposiums, or visiting the university\'s academic buildings.
Commuter Students & Staff: University permit holders and authorized academic personnel utilizing North Campus amenities.
Regional Transit Park-and-Ride Users: Travelers connecting to the St. Louis MetroLink system via the nearby UMSL North Station.

Visitor & Driver Tips

During standard university operating hours (Monday through Friday), university parking permits or guest day-passes are required; make sure to display your permit or obtain a visitor pass through the UMSL Parking & Transportation department to avoid citations. For ticketed public performances at the Touhill Performing Arts Center, parking is frequently complimentary or included with event admission, though arriving 30 to 45 minutes prior to showtime is recommended to secure spots nearest the crosswalks. When entering from I-70, take the Florissant Road exit and follow campus wayfinding signage directed to the Touhill Performing Arts Center for the easiest route.