About this Location

Facility Overview

Parking Lot C1 is a designated surface parking facility situated on the scenic W.A. Lettinga Main Campus of Davenport University at 6191 Kraft Ave SE in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Positioned in the southeastern suburban sector of the Grand Rapids metropolitan area along the Caledonia and Kentwood border, this open-air parking facility serves as an essential hub for university operations, academic events, and campus visitors. The lot features an organized, paved layout designed to ensure smooth vehicular movement and effortless stall access.

As an open-air surface lot, Parking Lot C1 does not impose low ceiling restrictions, providing unobstructed, wide-open vertical clearance. This makes the lot exceptionally accommodating not only for compact and standard passenger vehicles, but also for full-size pickup trucks, large SUVs, wheelchair-accessible vans, and high-roof passenger transport. Drive aisles are generously sized to support two-way circulation and simple maneuvering during busy arrival and departure periods.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Conveniently situated adjacent to Davenport University's primary academic facilities, Parking Lot C1 provides direct pedestrian connectivity to core educational and event venues on campus, as well as rapid transit to surrounding Grand Rapids landmarks:

Richard M. DeVos and Jay Van Andel Academic Center: Located just a brief 2- to 3-minute walk away, this main academic center houses classrooms, computer laboratories, faculty offices, and the Panther Den dining hub.
Donald W. Maine College of Business: Situated within an easy 3- to 4-minute walk across the central campus quad.
Roger VanderLaan Arena & Davenport Student Center: Located within a 4- to 5-minute stroll (approx. 0.2 miles), home to university basketball, volleyball, and student life programming.
Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex (Meyering Field): Positioned just south on 68th Street (approx. 0.8 miles, a 2-minute drive or 12-minute walk), hosting Panther football, soccer, lacrosse, and track & field competitions.
Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR): Located roughly 4 miles north via Kraft Avenue and 44th Street, reachable in under 10 minutes by car.
Downtown Grand Rapids & DeVos Place: Situated approximately 12 miles northwest (a 15- to 18-minute drive via M-6 and US-131), offering world-class dining, craft breweries, cultural museums, and entertainment.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Parking Lot C1 benefits from well-engineered roadways designed for low-stress ingress and egress. Motorists enter directly from Kraft Avenue SE or via the campus perimeter ring roads connecting to 68th Street SE. The facility boasts swift regional highway connectivity, situated less than a mile from Michigan Route 6 (M-6 / Paul B. Henry Freeway), providing direct east-west links to Interstate 96 (I-96) and US Highway 131 (US-131). Broadmoor Avenue SE (M-37) is also minutes to the west, offering an easy arterial route north toward 28th Street retail centers and downtown Grand Rapids.

For public transit connections, the campus is served by The Rapid (Interurban Transit Partnership) bus network on select routes and connects seamlessly with campus shuttles servicing student residential buildings and local commercial plazas. Exiting following academic lectures, open houses, or athletic contests is straightforward, as multi-lane exits channel vehicles smoothly back toward Kraft Avenue and 68th Street.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-Air Surface Parking: Level asphalt pavement with clearly demarcated stall lines and directional signage.
Unrestricted Clearance Headroom: Fully open-sky design suitable for oversized pickups, commercial service vans, and conversion vans.
Dedicated ADA Accessible Stalls: Designated accessible parking spaces equipped with level access aisles and curb-cut sidewalk ramps leading to campus walkways.
24/7 Campus Safety & Lighting: Well-illuminated by modern LED lighting fixtures and routinely monitored by Davenport University Public Safety vehicular and foot patrols.
Motorist Courtesy Services: Davenport University Public Safety provides on-campus emergency vehicle assistance, including jump-starts and lockout help.
Visitor Convenience: Dedicated visitor spaces and clear wayfinding signage for departmental guests, conference attendees, and campus tour groups.

Ideal For

University Students, Faculty & Staff: Seamless, hassle-free parking during class hours, laboratory sessions, and office schedules.
Prospective Students & Campus Visitors: Fast access to the Welcome Desk, admissions offices, and student service centers.
Panther Athletics Spectators: Practical parking choice for fans attending volleyball matches, basketball games, and campus sporting events.
Corporate & Conference Attendees: Ideal for professionals attending seminars, regional workshops, or executive programs hosted at the university.

Visitor & Driver Tips

All regular student and employee vehicles must display an authorized university parking permit. Daily visitors, prospective students, and invited guests should obtain a temporary visitor parking pass by stopping at the campus Welcome Desk in the Academic Center or by contacting Davenport University Student Services prior to arrival. Overnight parking is restricted and requires advance registration through the Department of Public Safety to prevent citations.

Street parking along Kraft Avenue SE and 68th Street SE is strictly prohibited and subject to local municipal enforcement, making Parking Lot C1 your safest and most reliable on-site choice. During Michigan's winter months, crews actively plow and salt driving lanes; drivers should be attentive to any posted temporary snow-clearing schedules or cordoned-off zones.