Grand Rapids officials are ‘very comfortable’ with parking availability for concerts but cautioned: ‘Planning ahead is key.’ Check out their plans and the new ParkMobile app at Local Spins.
A ‘Mobility Access Plan’: The city’s strategy for Acrisure Amphitheater parking and accessibility.
SCROLL DOWN FOR PARKING MAPS, LINKS TO NEW PARKMOBILE APP
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Beyond the buzz about performers booked for the sprawling new venue, it’s usually the first question raised during conversations about Grand Rapids’ Acrisure Amphitheater which officially opens in mid-May: What about parking?
So, Grand Rapids officials on Monday unveiled their comprehensive parking plans to accommodate concertgoers headed to downtown’s 12,000-capacity amphitheater this summer — a combination of existing off-street and on-street parking options, a new ParkMobile reservation system, shuttles and a drop-off area for rideshare services on the Fulton Street bridge.
“We put a lot of effort and data collection work and analysis into our parking capacity with the addition of this event venue. So, within a half-mile of the amphitheater, there is approximately and pretty close to 8,863 spaces available,” said Max Gilles, strategic initiatives director for the city’s Mobile GR.
“So there is plenty of available parking within a half-mile of this venue. There is a little bit of possibly a short walk or maybe a shuttle ride or something … but we just want to be clear: Our analysis and date collection shows that there’s plenty of capacity for this event venue within our parking system.”
That parking system includes four city ramps within a 12- to 15-minute walk from that amphitheater on Market Avenue SW (Louis Campau, Pearl Ionia, Weston Commerce, Cherry Commerce), costing $10-$25 for event parking. Scroll down to view the map.
Meanwhile, the new 340-space ramp connected to Acrisure will be designated primarily for handicapped-accessible parking, as well as for VIPs (spaces controlled by the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority).
ParkMobile App QR Code
To provide further parking assistance to concertgoers, the city on Monday activated its new ParkMobile app which allows people to reserve parking spots in off-street facilities for events up to three months ahead of time. Concertgoers can reserve spots online here or by scanning the QR code. Users must sign in with an email address, phone number, vehicle details and payment information.
“Planning ahead is key,” noted deputy city manager Mary Kate Berens, who stressed that the city has worked hard on its “Acrisure Amphitheater Mobility Access Plan” to ensure that amphitheater attendees have “a great experience.”
Other key details for those traveling downtown for amphitheater events:
• The Fulton Street bridge about four blocks away from the amphitheater will serve as the drop-off area for Uber, Lyft, taxis and rideshare services;
• The Market Avenue exit from southbound U.S. 131 will be closed for events, as well as Market Avenue in front of the amphitheater between Cherry and Bartlett streets;
• Rapid buses will run two hours later on event nights, with the last buses departing at 11:20 p.m. The free Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH) will also be available to transport those parking in locations farther away;
Parking-By-Venue: The city’s new web page provides details for each concert venue.
• New downtown signage, aka “wayfinding” signs, will provide “very clear and obvious” directions for pedestrians to the amphitheater and other venues. In addition, a new web page — available here — provides specific parking resources for the amphitheater, Van Andel Arena, DeVos Place and the new Amway Soccer Stadium;
• The city of Grand Rapids will utilize its “onthegogr” travel and transportation account on Instagram and social media to help provide information to concertgoers and those traveling downtown;
• Extra Grand Rapids police officers will be on duty for traffic and safety purposes during concerts, with plans for “overstaffing” the first night (May 15) so the department can better evaluate needs, said Lt. Jeff Dionne. “The goal of the Police Department on event nights is to provide an environment where the pedestrian traffic and vehicle traffic in the area can get to and from the venue as safely and quickly as possible.”
For those skeptical of the parking situation or those reluctant to navigate the downtown area when multiple events are taking place — May 15’s opening night also features concerts at Van Andel Arena, GLC Live at 20 Monroe, The Intersection and The Pyramid Scheme — Gilles said they should consider parking a few blocks away, using the DASH shuttle or strolling the “vibrant and awesome downtown area” with its restaurants and shops as part of the experience.
“We still feel very comfortable that there will be availability (of parking even when multiple events at different venues are taking place on show nights),” he said.
Ramping Up: These are the city ramps closest to Acrisure Amphitheater. (Source: City of Grand Rapids)
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