GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The Strategic Initiatives Manager for Grand Rapids says there will be plenty of available parking downtown on event nights, once the new Acrisure Amphitheater opens.

Max Gilles and some other city leaders discussed Grand Rapids' strategy for addressing parking and traffic at a news conference Monday morning at city hall. Gilles said they have an ADA-accessible DASH bus that will connect to the front of the venue on event nights.

"And we'll also be facilitating pickup and drop-off locations," he said. "So, if folks want to be picked up or dropped off who have accessibility needs, they can use that, as well."

Also unveiled were some pedestrian-focused way-findings signs that will be installed beginning this week.

"These are going to really fill in all sorts of gaps, from parking locations to shuttle pickup and drop-off locations for, like, Uber and Lyft," Gilles said during the news conference. "As well as micromobility, designated parking zones. And take all of those locations and get you to the event venues."

Gilles said that, even with full capacity at the amphitheater on any given night and other downtown activities at nearby venues, parking will be available.

"We would still have just over 800 spaces available to work with. So, there's plenty of available parking within a half mile of this venue," he said.

The City of Grand Rapids sent WOOD Radio a news release with more details:

As Grand Rapids prepares to welcome its newest major entertainment destination, the City today announced a comprehensive visitor access and mobility plan for the Acrisure Amphitheater’s inaugural season — highlighted by a new, all‑in‑one trip‑planning website to help attendees prepare before heading downtown.

The new site, grandrapidsmi.gov/venueparking, is the central hub for everything visitors need to get to and from the amphitheater. It offers real-time parking reservation links, walking routes, maps, shuttle information, rideshare guidance, ADA details and event-night travel tips. The City encourages all attendees to review the site before leaving home to ensure a smooth and predictable experience.

City leaders say the amphitheater marks an exciting new chapter for downtown Grand Rapids, and they are eager to support the thousands of visitors the venue will draw each season. Because most guests will park a short distance from the venue and walk through downtown, the access strategy is designed to simplify that journey — with advance planning as the key.

“We’ve taken a coordinated, citywide approach to ensure this major new venue becomes a major win for everyone visiting downtown Grand Rapids,” said Kate Berens, deputy city manager. “Our team has carefully considered every mode of travel, every type of visitor and every pressure point an event night can bring. The result is a plan that prioritizes safety and predictability. We encourage anyone attending a show to plan ahead and come early, grab dinner, explore downtown and make the most of everything Grand Rapids has to offer.”

Parking availability

· Within a half-mile of the amphitheater, visitors will find 7,860 off-street parking spaces across 17 lots and 12 ramps, along with 1,003 on-street spaces.

· Within one mile of downtown, that inventory increases to 17,777 off-street spaces and 2,553 on-street spaces.

On a sold-out event night, the amphitheater is expected to generate demand for approximately 3,850 vehicles. Based on recent parking utilization data, the City estimates that roughly 4,700 off-street spaces within a half-mile of the venue will typically be available for eventgoers on weekend evenings, after accounting for existing downtown activity and parking usage.

This analysis reinforces the City’s “park once” approach and supports the short, well-marked walk from nearby parking areas to the venue.

Reserved parking

A cornerstone of the mobility plan is a reserved parking platform developed with ParkMobile. Ticket holders can reserve parking in advance at more than 10 City-operated ramps and lots by visiting grandrapidsmi.gov/venueparking. Availability will vary by event based on expected attendance and overall parking demand.

From the City’s parking webpage, users will be directed to the ParkMobile reservation platform, where they can view and select available parking options by location and event date. This system allows visitors to secure a space before arriving downtown, reducing uncertainty and helping streamline the event-night experience.

Event parking rates at City-owned ramps and lots will remain consistent with current event pricing and will be dynamically applied based on forecasted attendance. Reservations made through the City's parking vendor are subject to an additional 15% service fee.

The Acrisure Amphitheater parking ramp is available by reservation only.

ADA parking

Accessible parking is available at the Market Street Lot and in the Acrisure Amphitheater parking ramp during event nights.

To use accessible spaces, patrons must display a valid disability parking placard or license plate. Vehicles displaying a state-issued disability placard with a yellow free-parking sticker may park at no cost, consistent with State of Michigan guidelines.

For the most convenient experience, attendees are encouraged to reserve accessible parking in advance through the City’s parking webpage.

Visitors seeking information on eligibility for disability parking placards, including the yellow free-parking sticker, can visit the Michigan Secretary of State website.

Motu Parking App

Visitors choosing on‑street parking can use Motu, the City’s official mobile payment app. Motu allows users to pay for, extend and manage parking sessions directly from their phones, eliminating the need for meters or kiosks.

DASH downtown shuttle

Visitors can also ride the City’s reimagined Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH), a free hop‑on/hop‑off service connecting key destinations, including the amphitheater. Launching May 4, the updated route features buses every eight minutes — nearly twice as often as before — along a streamlined, one‑directional loop for faster, easier navigation.

The DASH links major parking facilities, DeVos Place, Van Andel Arena, the amphitheater and the future Amway Soccer Stadium. Maps and details are available at grandrapidsmi.gov/venueparking.

Public Transit: The Rapid

Attendees can also reach the venue using The Rapid. Riders can take any route to Rapid Central Station, exit through the north end of the depot, and walk straight down Williams Street SW — a short 0.2‑mile, five‑minute walk — to the amphitheater.

For those who prefer to park outside the downtown core, several Park & Ride locations offer free parking and convenient service to Rapid Central Station. Riders are encouraged to check route schedules, as many services end by midnight.

Rideshare

Rideshare (Lyft, Uber, taxi) drop-off and pickup will occur exclusively on the Fulton Street Bridge during event nights. This dedicated zone is designed to reduce congestion, improve circulation and minimize pedestrian conflicts. Maps and guidance are available on the website.

Wayfinding system

To help attendees navigate from parking and drop‑off locations to the amphitheater, Mobile GR is installing a venue-specific wayfinding system throughout downtown. The new signs will guide pedestrians along recommended walking routes, reduce confusion on event nights and highlight the short five‑ to 10‑minute walk from most parking areas. The system mirrors the digital guidance on the City’s website, ensuring a consistent “screen‑to‑street” experience.

Micromobility zones

Attendees using scooters or e‑bikes will find designated micromobility pickup and parking zones at:

· SW corner of Wealthy/Market

· SW corner of Goodrich/Cesar E. Chavez

· SW corner of Bartlett/Cesar E. Chavez

· NW corner of Williams/Cesar E. Chavez

· SE corner of Fulton/Market

These locations are included on the venue access map online.

Traffic control plan

The City’s event‑night traffic management strategy reflects the same level of preparation. The Grand Rapids Police Department and City traffic engineers have developed a comprehensive plan addressing vehicle flow, pedestrian crossings, and drop-off activity in and around the venue. The goal is to keep people moving safely, whether they arrive by car, rideshare, transit or on foot.

“Our message to ticket holders is simple: a little planning goes a long way. We've built the tools to make that easy. The walk from most parking areas to the venue is short and takes you past restaurants, shops, art and street activation. The route will be well-marked, and our teams will be out there to make sure every event night runs smoothly,” said Jessica Smith, Mobile GR director.

For parking reservations, shuttle schedules, rideshare maps, ADA information and all other amphitheater access details, visitors should go to grandrapidsmi.gov/venueparking before their event. For additional questions, contact 311 Customer Service at 616‑456‑3000.

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About Mobile GR

Mobile GR is the City of Grand Rapids' transportation and parking department, responsible for managing the city's parking system, downtown mobility programs, and multi-modal transportation initiatives. Mobile GR's mission is to provide accessible, sustainable, and equitable mobility options for residents, employees, and visitors in Grand Rapids.

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