About this Location

Facility Overview

University Lot (Lot 33) is an open-air public surface parking facility managed by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Parking Management Division in the heart of downtown Wheaton, Maryland. Situated just off University Boulevard West (MD Route 193) near Grandview Avenue and Amherst Avenue, this lot offers convenient street-level parking for residents, commuters, and visitors exploring the Wheaton Urban District. Because it is an open-air surface lot with no low overhead barriers or clearance beam restrictions, Lot 33 easily accommodates standard sedans, compact cars, full-size pickup trucks, large SUVs, and high-roof work or passenger vans that cannot fit into standard multi-level covered parking garages.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Located in one of Montgomery County’s most vibrant commercial and cultural enclaves, University Lot places drivers within immediate walking distance of an array of local dining, shopping, and public services:

Wheaton Arts & Cultural Hub / Downtown Dining: Steps away from dozens of renowned international restaurants, bakeries, and mom-and-pop eateries specializing in Salvadoran, Ethiopian, Thai, and Peruvian cuisines along University Blvd and Georgia Avenue.
Westfield Wheaton Mall: Just a 5- to 7-minute walk (less than 0.4 miles) southwest, offering extensive retail options including Target, Costco, Macy\'s, and diverse department stores.
Wheaton Regional Park & Brookside Gardens: Located a brief 5-minute drive northeast, providing expansive botanical gardens, nature trails, athletic complexes, and an ice rink.
Montgomery County Government Services & Marian Fryer Town Plaza: Approximately a 3- to 5-minute walk, hosting local community events, outdoor concerts, farmers markets, and civic offices.
Wheaton Library and Community Recreation Center: Situated less than 1 mile away along Georgia Avenue.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress to Lot 33 are straightforward, with entry curb cuts connecting directly to adjacent side streets off University Boulevard West. The facility benefits from prime proximity to major regional thoroughfares, including Georgia Avenue (MD Route 97), Veirs Mill Road (MD Route 586), and the Capital Beltway (I-495), which sits roughly 2 miles to the south. For transit riders, the Wheaton Metro Station (serving the Washington Metro Red Line) is a short 5-minute walk away, making Lot 33 an ideal choice for park-and-ride commuters heading into Silver Spring, Bethesda, or Downtown Washington, D.C. Several Ride On and Metrobus lines also stop within steps of the lot.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-Air Headroom: Ample overhead clearance suitable for tall vehicles, cargo carriers, and utility trucks.
Flexible Mobile Payments: Integrated with the ParkMobile app, allowing drivers to pay, monitor time, and extend parking sessions remotely.
On-Site Pay Stations: Modern multi-space digital payment kiosks accepting credit/debit cards and coins.
ADA Accessibility: Designated accessible parking stalls conveniently positioned near standard pedestrian curb cuts.
Well-Lit & Maintained: High-efficiency overhead municipal lighting and routine maintenance by Montgomery County DOT.

Ideal For

Red Line Commuters: Drivers seeking an accessible surface lot alternative to the multi-story garage at the Wheaton Metro Station.
Dining & Shopping Patrons: Visitors exploring downtown Wheaton\'s acclaimed independent eateries and cultural shops.
Civic & Community Visitors: Individuals attending appointments at the Wheaton Revitalization Project offices or gatherings at the Marian Fryer Town Plaza.
Contractors & Van Drivers: Commercial vehicles and tall vans that exceed low parking garage clearance heights.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Parking is metered and enforced by Montgomery County during posted operational hours (typically Monday through Saturday, with free parking on Sundays and county holidays). To avoid expiration citations, register your vehicle and license plate on the ParkMobile app prior to arrival so you can top up your parking duration directly from your phone while dining or running errands. During peak weekday commute hours and weekend dinner rushes, spaces along the perimeter fill quickly, so consider arriving slightly before prime meal times.