Facility Overview

The Taft Street Parking Garage is a premier multi-level structured parking facility centrally situated on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL Lafayette) campus along Taft Street in Lafayette, LA 70503. Offering sheltered, multi-deck parking, this facility serves students, university faculty, campus guests, and visitors attending cultural, educational, and athletic events in central Lafayette. The garage features wide driving lanes, well-delineated parking stalls, elevator access between levels, and comprehensive stairwell exits. Standard passenger cars, crossovers, minivans, and standard-sized pickup trucks can navigate and park comfortably. Drivers operating lifted trucks, oversized commercial vans, or vehicles equipped with roof racks and cargo boxes should verify posted clearance signage at the facility entrance before driving inside, as vertical headroom is limited across elevated decks.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Perfectly situated on the main campus of UL Lafayette, the garage is surrounded by top educational, cultural, and entertainment hubs within brief walking distance:

• UL Lafayette Student Union & Quad: Located just a 2 to 4-minute walk away, providing direct access to campus dining, the campus bookstore, and student services.
• Edith Garland Dupré Library: A central academic hub situated approximately a 3-minute stroll from the garage.
• Angelle Hall & School of Music: Home to campus concerts, recitals, and performing arts, located within a 5-minute walk.
• Hilliard Art Museum: The Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum is reachable within a pleasant 7 to 10-minute walk down St. Mary Boulevard.
• Downtown Lafayette: The vibrant downtown dining, boutique shopping, and arts strip along Jefferson Street is situated roughly 1 mile away, easily reached in a short 5-minute drive or rideshare trip.
• Cajundome & Cajun Field: Located approximately 1.2 miles to the west, accessible via university transit shuttles or a quick drive during major sporting events, concerts, and festivals.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress to the garage are straightforward via Taft Street, accessible from East St. Mary Boulevard and McKinley Street, with quick arterial connections to major thoroughfares including Johnston Street (US-167) and University Avenue. During class peak changes and major campus functions, campus police or event staff frequently assist with traffic management to facilitate orderly exiting. Public transportation connections are readily available, with Lafayette Transit System (LTS) bus routes serving nearby corridors on Johnston Street and St. Mary Boulevard, along with regular UL Lafayette campus shuttle services connecting the main campus to athletic facilities and park-and-ride commuter lots.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Covered, weather-protected multi-level parking stalls shielded from Louisiana sun and rain.
• Designated accessible ADA parking spaces situated in close proximity to elevators and pedestrian ramps.
• Bright overhead LED illumination throughout interior driving lanes, ramps, and stairwells for 24-hour visibility.
• Equipped with multiple automated pay stations accepting major credit and debit cards, as well as digital mobile parking payment apps (such as ParkMobile).
• Emergency call boxes and regular monitoring by UL Lafayette Campus Police.
• Integrated elevators and pedestrian stair towers for convenient vertical circulation.

Ideal For

• Campus Visitors & Guests: Ideal for prospective students, parents, academic visitors, and conference attendees visiting UL Lafayette.
• Arts & Culture Enthusiasts: Convenient parking for visitors attending recitals at Angelle Hall or exhibits at the Hilliard Art Museum.
• University Commuters: Reliable structured parking for daily staff, faculty, and permit-holding students.
• Community Eventgoers: A secure parking base when participating in community festivals, lectures, or special functions around the university district.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Visitors are encouraged to park in designated visitor bays, typically located on lower garage tiers, and immediately initiate their parking session via the posted pay-by-plate kiosk or ParkMobile app to avoid campus citations. When attending high-attendance campus lectures, commencement ceremonies, or cultural performances, arriving 20 to 30 minutes in advance ensures smooth entry and access to lower-level parking spaces. Always note your stall number or take a photo of your parking level before heading to your campus destination.