About this Location

Facility Overview

Parking Lot UU is an open-air surface parking facility situated along West Drive within the scenic grounds of the University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL) in St. Louis, Missouri (ZIP code 63121). Designed primarily to serve university students, faculty, staff, and visitors, this expansive paved lot offers straightforward, single-level parking with clearly demarcated bays and spacious driving aisles. Because it is a completely open-sky lot with no overhead infrastructure or parking decks, Lot UU boasts zero vertical clearance limitations. This makes it an accommodating choice for a wide spectrum of vehicle sizes, ranging from compact passenger cars and electric sedans to full-size pickup trucks, commercial service vans, and high-roof sports utility vehicles.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Strategically positioned on the university grounds, Lot UU is within easy walking distance or a short campus shuttle ride to essential academic and cultural destinations. Key nearby venues include:

Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center: The flagship cultural venue for concerts, theatrical productions, and touring performances, located a short distance away on the UMSL North Campus.
UMSL Campus Hubs: Direct access to primary campus facilities including academic buildings, student services, lecture halls, and departmental offices.
Mark Twain Athletic Center: Home to UMSL Tritons athletics, fitness facilities, and collegiate sporting events, located within a few minutes\' travel across campus.
St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL): Conveniently positioned just 4 miles northwest, making the surrounding area a popular transit route for regional visitors and university guests.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Accessing Parking Lot UU is straightforward via West Drive, which connects seamlessly to major perimeter arteries such as Natural Bridge Road and Florissant Road. Motorists arriving via regional highway networks benefit from rapid connections to Interstate 70 (I-70) and Interstate 170 (I-170), allowing quick travel across Greater St. Louis. For those utilizing public transportation, the facility is closely connected to the Metro Transit system. Both the UMSL South and UMSL North MetroLink light rail stations are in the immediate vicinity, providing direct, car-free transit to Downtown St. Louis, the Central West End, Forest Park, and St. Louis Lambert Airport. University shuttle routes also frequent West Drive to ferry passengers across both North and South campus areas.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-Air Surface Parking: Generous driving lanes and straightforward angle/perpendicular stalls allow easy maneuvering and stress-free parking.
Unrestricted Clearance: Open-sky layout allows oversized SUVs, high-profile cargo vans, and roof-racked vehicles to park without height concerns.
Designated Accessible Bays: Clearly marked ADA accessible parking stalls located near primary pedestrian walkways.
Nighttime Illumination: High-mast perimeter lighting across the lot ensures enhanced visibility and personal safety during evening hours.
Campus Security Patrols: Regularly monitored by the University of Missouri–St. Louis Police Department (UMSL PD), with campus emergency call boxes located in surrounding areas.
Digital & Permit Payment Options: Campus permits, daily visitor passes, and mobile payment solutions are managed via official university parking services and designated visitor parking apps.

Ideal For

University Commuters: Students, educators, and university administrative staff attending weekday lectures and campus work.
Campus Event & Arts Attendees: Visitors attending recitals, public forums, lectures, and cultural events across the UMSL campus.
Collegiate Sports Fans: Spectators cheering on Triton athletics and regional collegiate competitions.
Park & Ride Commuters: Drivers connecting to the MetroLink light rail network for simplified travel into the St. Louis metropolitan core.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Parking regulations on campus are strictly enforced on weekdays. Visitors without an annual university parking decal should obtain a temporary guest permit or utilize official mobile payment kiosks to avoid citations. Peak occupancy generally aligns with university class transition hours between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM on Mondays through Thursdays; arriving early ensures the closest spaces to pedestrian walkways. If attending high-profile evening performances or events at nearby auditoriums, plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before showtime to navigate campus traffic with ease.