03-21-2018 ( Ohio )
Akron Children’s Hospital has closed its Locust Parking Deck, 300 Locust St., to patients of the hospital and medical practices leasing space in the Locust Professional Building, hospital employees and volunteers.
The closing of the parking deck, which has 656 parking spaces, yesterday was in response to an engineering report commissioned by the hospital that found serious structural concerns with the 46-year-old deck.
“We regret the inconvenience this causes everyone beginning this morning, whether it is for a doctor’s appointment or a lab/radiology test, as well as our nearly 300 employees who park in the Locust Parking Deck,” said Akron Children’s President Grace Wakulchik. “But, we approached this decision just as we would approach a medical issue – we felt the need to act upon this information as quickly as possible to avoid harm.”
Akron Children’s had planned to replace the Locust Parking Deck in the next few years as part of its Akron campus master plan. Recent observation, however, of falling concrete prompted the hospital to obtain a structural review by the GPD Group. The firm’s conclusions prompted the hospital to make immediate plans to close the deck and divert vehicles to other parking decks.
Late yesterday, Akron Children’s began alerting employees and volunteers about the parking changes. Hospital officials are finding alternative spaces at other downtown parking decks and surface lots owned by the City of Akron with a shuttle service running throughout the day to get them to and from the hospital.
Do I need to be concerned about receiving care and services in the Locust Professional Building?
Ensuring the safety of our patients, employees and volunteers is our top priority, and the Locust Professional Building is a safe place to receive care. The safety concerns apply only to the parking deck.
Where can I find a campus map?
Click here to see the map. This document also provides parking recommendation based on the department/service you are visiting.
What are the addresses for GPS navigation to the Bowery and Exchange parking decks?
How do the walkways from the parking decks attach to the hospital?
Check out this map to see where they connect.
Will there be enough spots in the P1 Bowery deck? It was hard to find a spot in the past.
Employees who parked there previously have been reassigned to park off-campus, so the Bowery deck will be exclusively for patient families and volunteers.
Is there valet?
Valet parking has been expanded to meet patient needs and is available at the Locust Professional Building, Considine Professional Building and the emergency room.
How much is parking in the decks and is there free parking?
Parking is $1 per hour; $4 max daily. Cash and credit cards are accepted. Discounted multi-use and long-term passes are available at exit booths. Free parking is available on the street when city parking meters are not enforced. They are enforced Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
I heard that some departments are moving from the Locust Building to the expanded Considine Professional Building. Who is moving and when?
The current schedule is as follows:
These departments are staying in the Locust Building: Infectious disease and independent physician practices who lease space in the building.
What is the permanent plan for parking?
Design plans are underway for a new deck to replace the Locust Parking Deck. That process will take an estimated 15-18 months.
Who can I contact with questions?
Send your question to parking@akronchildrens.org. Your parking questions and concerns are important to us, so please know we are working to provide answers in a timely fashion.
We will continue to add FAQs to this page. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Holly Pupino
330-543-4360
hpupino@akronchildrens.org
Laurie Schueler
330-543-3400
