Facility Overview

The Upperclass Commuter Parking facility at 500 Union Avenue is a dedicated on-campus surface parking lot serving Southeastern Louisiana University (SLU) in Hammond, Louisiana. Located along Union Avenue in the vibrant core of the campus, this expansive open-air facility is organized to accommodate junior, senior, and graduate commuter students, faculty, and authorized campus visitors. The lot features standard paved bays with clearly painted lane delineations and broad drive aisles. Because it is an open-air surface lot with no overhead barriers or height restrictions, it offers unrestricted vertical clearance, making it an excellent parking choice for standard passenger sedans, pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, and rooftop-equipped utility vehicles alike.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Positioned right in the heart of Southeastern Louisiana University, this facility offers immediate walking access to key academic, administrative, and recreational facilities on campus:

• Southeastern Student Union & Bookstore: Located less than a 2-minute walk away, providing dining options, lounge spaces, meeting rooms, and student support services.
• Sims Memorial Library: Situated approximately 3 to 5 minutes north on foot, serving as the university’s primary research and quiet study destination.
• Strawberry Stadium & Alumni Field: Located roughly an 8-minute walk to the east, home to Lions football and various collegiate track-and-field events.
• University Center: A premier indoor venue for SLU basketball, commencement ceremonies, and regional concerts, reachable in under 10 minutes on foot or a 2-minute drive.
• Historic Downtown Hammond: Located about 1.5 miles south (a 5-minute drive), featuring boutique retail shopping, historic architecture, and popular local restaurants along Thomas Street and Railroad Avenue.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

The parking lot is readily accessible via Union Avenue, connecting seamlessly with University Avenue (LA-3234) and North Morrison Boulevard (US-51 Business). Drivers traveling from outside Hammond can quickly reach the facility from Interstate 12 (Exit 38B) or Interstate 55 (Exit 32), both of which funnel into the university road network within 5 to 10 minutes. On-campus movement is supplemented by the Lion Traxx campus shuttle system, which operates scheduled loops connecting commuter lots with academic zones and the University Center. For regional public transport, the Hammond Amtrak Station is located just 1.5 miles south in Downtown Hammond, offering passenger rail connections along the City of New Orleans line.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Open-Air Surface Parking: Easy drive-in access with unobstructed vertical clearance for high-profile vehicles.
• Designated Accessible Spaces: ADA-compliant parking stalls strategically located near paved pedestrian pathways leading to the Student Union and central quad.
• Campus Security & Illumination: High-mast LED lot lighting and regular patrols by the Southeastern Louisiana University Police Department (UPD), along with nearby campus emergency call boxes.
• Lion Traxx Shuttle Stop: Proximity to campus shuttle stops for quick, air-conditioned transit across campus.
• Permit & Visitor Access: Integrated with university hangtag and digital permit management, with temporary guest passes available via the SLU Parking Operations portal.

Ideal For

• SLU Upperclassmen & Commuters: Students seeking reliable, centralized parking adjacent to core lecture halls and student dining.
• Campus Guests & Event Visitors: Attendees of conferences, seminars, and academic presentations hosted at the Student Union or nearby lecture halls.
• Athletics & Performing Arts Patrons: Convenient gameday and event parking for campus functions, ceremonies, and sporting matches.

Visitor & Driver Tips

During the fall and spring semesters, university parking regulations are strictly enforced from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Thursday, and 7:00 AM to 12:30 PM on Fridays. Ensure that an active commuter permit or university visitor pass is displayed or registered to your license plate to avoid ticketing. Traffic along Union Avenue peaks around class transition times, especially between 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM; arriving 15 to 20 minutes prior to scheduled classes or events is highly recommended. Outside of enforcement hours and during official university closures, lot restrictions are generally relaxed for general campus visitors.