About this Location

Facility Overview

Parking Structure 1 (often known as the OSU Parking Structure or PS1) is the primary multi-level covered parking facility on the Oregon State University campus in Corvallis, Oregon. Situated at 661 SW 26th Street at the crossroads of SW 26th St and SW Washington Way, this five-story concrete garage provides hundreds of sheltered vehicular spaces across its first four levels, topped with an expansive open-air fifth-floor rooftop deck. Pedestrian navigation within the garage is seamless thanks to well-marked stairwells and dual elevator cores providing complete step-free accessibility.

In terms of vehicle suitability, the garage comfortably accommodates standard passenger cars, sedans, station wagons, crossovers, minivans, and standard-profile pickup trucks and SUVs. Standard overhead clearance limits apply throughout the covered decks (posted at approximately 7 feet, with higher clearance along the ground entry tier for ADA van-accessible spaces). Drivers of high-roof conversion vans, oversized commercial utility vehicles, lifted off-road trucks with overhead racks, and vehicles towing trailers or RVs should avoid entering the covered levels and instead utilize open-air surface lots situated near the campus periphery or designated oversized game-day parking areas.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Parking Structure 1 boasts one of the most strategically advantageous locations on the entire OSU campus, placing visitors steps from the university's major athletic, cultural, and conference epicenters:

Reser Stadium: Home of Oregon State Beavers Football, situated directly across SW 26th Street, less than a 2-minute walk from garage exit to stadium gates.
Gill Coliseum: Historic arena hosting OSU basketball, gymnastics, volleyball, and wrestling, located directly catty-corner across 26th Street (2-minute walk).
Goss Stadium at Coleman Field: Iconic collegiate ballpark home to Beavers baseball, located roughly a 4-minute walk north along Ralph Miller Lane.
CH2M HILL Alumni Center & The LaSells Stewart Center: Premiere university conference, banquet, and performing event centers situated immediately adjacent to the stadium complex (2 to 4 minutes on foot).
Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts (PRAx): State-of-the-art arts, concert, and exhibition facility located an easy 5-minute walk to the east.
Core OSU Campus: Direct paved walking paths link the structure to Dixon Recreation Center, the Memorial Union (MU), Student Experience Center (SEC), Valley Library, and Austin Hall within a 5- to 10-minute stroll.
Hilton Garden Inn Corvallis: Convenient lodging situated directly south across Western Boulevard, within a 4-minute walk.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Entering and exiting Parking Structure 1 is straightforward via main ingress points along SW 26th Street and SW Washington Way. Internal ramps feature broad turning radii and one-way directional lane striping to ensure orderly vehicle flow between levels. Following major campus events or football games, traffic control officers frequently direct egress to optimize outflow onto SW Western Boulevard and SW 35th Street.

For regional connectivity, the garage sits minutes from Highway 20 / Highway 34 (Philomath Boulevard) and Highway 99W (Pacific Highway West), which connect directly to Interstate 5 (Exit 228 or 233) for drivers traveling from Portland, Salem, or Eugene. Public transportation connections are exceptionally strong: Corvallis Transit System (CTS) provides completely fare-free bus service across the city with multiple bus stops surrounding the facility, while the OSU Beaver Bus campus shuttle runs continuous loops with stops outside the garage on Washington Way and Western Boulevard.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Multi-Level Covered Deck: Five tiered parking levels offering all-weather shelter on floors 1–4 and open-air rooftop parking on floor 5.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging: Level 2 EV charging stalls situated on designated lower tiers for eco-conscious motorists.
Accessible ADA Parking: Dedicated ADA-compliant van-accessible and standard stalls positioned adjacent to elevator towers on lower floors.
Automated Pay Stations: Modern digital pay stations accepting credit and debit cards positioned beside elevator lobbies.
Virtual & Mobile Permitting: Full integration with the OSU Transportation Services online permit system, allowing drivers to register and pay by license plate remotely.
Safety & Visibility: Energy-efficient high-output overhead lighting, emergency call boxes, and routine patrols by OSU Public Safety and local police.

Ideal For

Beaver Athletics Fans: Tailgaters and spectators attending football games at Reser Stadium, basketball at Gill Coliseum, or baseball at Goss Stadium.
University Visitors & Parents: Families attending campus tours, freshman move-in, student presentations, or commencement ceremonies.
Conference & Symposium Guests: Professionals attending meetings, workshops, and galas at the CH2M HILL Alumni Center or The LaSells Stewart Center.
Campus Commuters: University faculty, staff, and commuter students carrying valid OSU commuter permits.
Arts & Entertainment Audiences: Patrons visiting PRAx or attending seasonal concerts and speaker series on South Campus.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Standard OSU parking permits are enforced Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM throughout the academic year. Floors inside the garage are zoned: lower levels host hourly visitor spaces and Zone B commuter parking, whereas upper tiers are frequently reserved for Residence Hall (Zone R) student permit holders—always double-check posted signs at the entrance of each bay to ensure compliance. For home football Saturdays and major arena events, standard permits are superseded by athletic event pricing, and access may be restricted to pre-purchased game-day parking passes. Visitors arriving during peak weekday class transitions or on game days should plan to arrive 20–30 minutes early to comfortably navigate the ramps and secure an open stall.