Parking and Transportation in Downtown Grand Rapids
City Parking Lots
The City of Grand Rapids offers parking in a ramp adjacent to the Cooley Law School and in several lots south of the Van Andel Arena.
Closest: The Cherry/Commerce parking ramp is the most accessible parking area and is adjacent to the law school. The entrance to the ramp is on Cherry Street just west of Commerce. This is an unattended ramp, and parkers pay via “pay on foot” machines located in the stairwells of the ramp on the ground floor before exiting the ramp in their vehicles. Rates are $1.00 per half hour and $5.50 per day or $6.00 per day if there is an event. The pay on foot machines accept coins, bills, and credit cards, and receipts can be printed. Monthly parking is available for $110 per month. A VIP pass program allows evening students to park in the Cherry Commerce ramp between the hours of 4:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. for $15.00 per month, payable only by credit card. Information about monthly permits is available at the City of Grand Rapids Parking Services office located at 50 Ottawa Ave. NW, by calling (616) 456-3290, or on the web.
Cheaper: The Area 5 Lot, on Ionia Avenue between Cherry and Oakes Streets, is the most accessible surface parking lot. The cost is 85 cents per half hour with a daily maximum of $5.50 ($6.00 for event nights and weekends). Students arriving at the lot when no booth attendant is on duty should enter the lot at the entrance with the coin-operated machine and deposit $3.00 (coins, $1 bills, and $5 bills are accepted). Vehicles must exit the lot by 3 a.m.
Cheapest: Area 6A Lot, which is on Cherry Street under the 131 overpass, offers parking at a flat rate of $2.00 per day. The parking lot is unattended, unless a special event is happening in the area. Students should deposit $2.00 upon entering the lot in the self-serve auto-attendant. The auto-attendant accepts coins, $1 bills, and $5 bills. The lot is one block to the west of the Area 5 lot and is about three blocks from the Law Center. The City often has a limited number of monthly parking permits for this lot for $35.75 (less than $1.25 per day). Check the city’s website to see if there are open slots.
Parking Services: For those who park in a City parking lot or ramp, the city provides security cameras and parking security officers who can fix flat tires, charge dead batteries, unlock doors, or assist you with most any problem you or your car could run into downtown, all at no charge.
Jitney Service to the surface parking lots (5 and 6A) is available after 6 p.m. To use this service, call (616) 456-3751 approximately fifteen minutes in advance to advise of the desired time and place for pickup. A Protective Services Officer (PSO) will pick you up at the time and location you specify, transport you to your vehicle, and wait until you are on your way. Look for a red Dodge Stratus minivan or Chevrolet Uplander with security markings.
City Meters
City meters are enforced Monday through Friday. Parking is free on Saturdays and Sundays and after 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The city meters in the four blocks immediately surrounding the law school on Ionia Avenue, Cherry Street, Commerce Avenue, and Oakes Avenue are four-hour meters, and the cost is $1.00 per hour. The only exceptions are the meters on the east side of Commerce Avenue (in front of the United Way building and Douglas J Salon) which are two-hour meters and cost $1.00 per hour. Be sure to look at the labels on the meters which will indicate if the meter is for two hours or four hours.
The City of Grand Rapids also offers Parkmobile, a cash-less parking system at downtown meters. Parkers call from their mobile phones to start and stop parking sessions. Payment is by direct debit, debit card, or credit card. To register for Parkmobile or for more information, visit the Parkmobile website.
Prohibited Parking
Parking in the United Way parking lot across Commerce Avenue from the Law Center is not permitted at any time, including evenings and weekends. Additionally, parking is prohibited in any lot that requires a permit, unless you have obtained a permit or permission from the parking lot owners.
Caution: Cooley Law School is located in an urban area. Students parking their vehicles downtown should take normal precautions and should not leave valuable personal property in plain view in the vehicle. If valuables are left in a vehicle, they should be kept out of sight — preferably in the trunk.
Public Transportation
The Rapid bus system services the city of Grand Rapids and surrounding suburban areas. Students may purchase a 10-ride student card for $9 (by showing their student ID card) at the following outlets: online at The Rapid website, on the bus from the fare box, at the Information Center in the Rapid Central Station, and at many area outlets, including Meijer, D&W, and Family Fare stores. Students may also buy a 31-day unlimited-use pass for $40. Visit www.ridetherapid.org for schedules, routes, stops, and car and van pooling information. A Greyhound bus station is also located at the Rapid Central Station, just four blocks from Cooley Law School.
*Rates and availability are controlled by the City of Grand Rapids Parking Services and are subject to change at any time.
Revised 12.1.09
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