Parking

Parking & Transportation Resources:

Parking Options:

Memorial Auditorium is located in an area of campus that consists of primarily on-street parking. Suggested parking options for guests attending events at Memorial Auditorium are:

Metered Parking: There are city and University meters on street and within small parking lots near Memorial Auditorium. Availability cannot be guaranteed, and guests should arrive early with the expectation that these meters are likely to fill up first when there are large events. Fees vary depending on if the meter is a city or a University meter, but the range is from $.075 to $1 per hour. Ohio University meters accept quarters or guests may pay using the Park Mobile Application. Guests should download the Park Mobile Application in advance to expedite the parking process. Athens City meters accept quarters or guests may pay using the Parksmarter Application.  Guest should download the Parksmarter Application in advance to expedite the parking process.

After-Hours & Weekend Parking Options: The University’s dark green and purple lots are available to guests seeking free parking options during the weekdays (Monday – Friday) after 5 pm and on Saturday and Sunday.  Guests choosing this option must ensure they are in a valid, non-metered, & non-restricted space within a dark green or purple lot. Please review the campus parking map for lot locations. Memorial Auditorium is shown on the campus map as building 4.

Hourly Parking Facilities: In addition to street meters listed above, there are various hourly parking lots/facilities available to guests visiting Memorial Auditorium, which are listed below. Options are listed in order of the nearest facilities to Memorial Auditorium.

Athens City Parking Garage: The Athens City Parking Garage is shown on the campus parking map as building 40. Fees are consistent with Athens City Rates. Please ensure you have adequate quarters to pay associated fees. Please allow approximately 5-10 minutes to walk from the Athens Parking Garage to Memorial Auditorium.

Baker University Center Parking Garage: The Baker University Center parking garage is shown on the campus parking map as the parking area next to building 23. Fees are $1.25 per hour Monday-Friday from 7 am - 5 pm and during special events and $1.00 per hour during all other times.  Please reference Parkmobile or the payment kiosk for the hourly fee that would apply. Guests may pay by using cash, credit card, or via the Park Mobile Application. Please allow approximately 10 minutes to walk from the Baker Center Parking Facility to Memorial Auditorium.

Jefferson Parking Garage: The Jefferson Parking Garage is shown on the campus parking map beneath building 58. Fees are $1.25 per hour Monday - Friday from 7 am - 5 pm and during special events and $1.00 per hour during all other times.  Please reference Parkmobile or the payment kiosk for the hourly fee that would apply.  Guests may pay by using cash, credit card, or via the Park Mobile Application. Please allow approximately 10 minutes to walk from the Jefferson Parking Facility to Memorial Auditorium.

Regardless of the area selected from the options listed above, guests are encouraged to arrive early so they have adequate time to park and walk to the Memorial Auditorium Facility. As a rule of thumb, it is always best to leave approximately 15 minutes for parking and walking needs. 

Athens Public Transit/Bobcat Pass:

Athens Public Transit is a public bus system that serves Athens City, The Plains, and Chauncey. A full map of bus stop locations and destinations can be found here. Buses run until 10pm Monday-Saturday. All OU students, facility, and staff can ride Athens Public Transit for free with their Bobcat Pass. Regular fare is $1.00 per way with free transfers. Download the TripShot App to see the buses in real time!

The three stops closest to Memorial Auditorium are:

  • (East State Street bound) The Court/President stop is located next to Chubb Hall and the Morton Hall stop located outside of Morton Hall. The Court/President stop is serviced by lines 2 and 3 and will take you to East State Street. The buses stop at this stop at every :01 and :31 past the hour.
  • (Richland Avenue bound) The Richland / President stop is located where South Congress Street meets Richland Avenue. The stop services lines 2 and 3 and will take you to Richland Ave and The Ridges area. These buses are at this stop at :08 and :38 past the hour.
  • (West side / East Green / South Green / East State Street bound) The Morton Hall stop is located outside of Morton hall on Race Street. If you’re headed to South Green, East Green, or East State street get on the bus stop on the opposite side of the street as Morton Hall (headed away from Alden Library). That bus comes every :55 after the hour. If you’re headed to Grover Center, West Union Street or Central Avenue get on the stop on the same side of the street as Morton Hall (headed toward Alden Library). That bus comes every :36 past the hour.

For schedules, information or questions visit www.athenstransit.org or contact the Athens County Mobility Coordinator, Ben Ziff, at 740-767-1085 or ben.ziff@hapcap.org. 

Bicycling:

Athens and Ohio University believe in a bike friendly community and campus. There’s several options for riding your bike to Memorial Auditorium such as on the Hockhocking Adena bike way [PDF] and on the streets of Athens. Once you arrive on campus you’ll find bike racks you can safely secure your bicycle up to while you enjoy the show. Some of the closest bike racks to Memorial Auditorium are located in front of Gordy Hall, Alden Library, and the Baker Center.