Transportation Services sets aside parking for arts events

To better balance competing demands for parking between sports fans and arts patrons, Transportation Services has designated several areas for theater and arts parking on campus.

With the opening of the Kohl Center a year ago, Transportation Services began receiving complaints that it was becoming very difficult to find parking for theater and arts events taking place at the same time as Kohl Center events.

“We continue striving to ensure that parking accommodations are available for every group on campus, not just athletics,” says Director of Transportation Services Lori Kay. “We have a strong commitment to meeting the needs of campus arts customers. Arts events are an important part of the university, and they should be able to co-exist with Kohl Center.”

Kay says the underground parking ramp at Grainger Hall (Lot 7) has been designated as the primary theater and arts parking area on nights when multiple events are taking place in the lower campus area. There are 300 parking stalls available there at a cost of $2. Parkers may be asked to show their event tickets in order to gain admission to the lot.

In addition, a total of nearly 300 stalls are available for theater and arts parking on multiple-event nights in Lot 47 at University Square and Lot 6, the parking ramp at the Helen C. White College Library on N. Park Street.

Those attending dance performances at Lathrop Hall also have the option of parking in Lot 20, just west of the Medical Sciences Center.

Theater and arts logos have been placed at the entrances to the lots designated for theater and arts patrons. In addition, parking information will be provided to people when they purchase performance tickets at campus box offices.

“We would encourage theater and arts patrons to ask where the designated parking area for their event is when they purchase their tickets,” says Patti Lux-Weber, special events parking coordinator for the campus.

“And due to the number of events the campus is hosting, both academic and athletic, they should plan to arrive early so they can locate parking and get to their event in a timely manner,” Lux-Weber recommends.

Kay assures those who may still be concerned about it that “parking is more available than many people might think. Just follow the signs.”