Navigating Parking at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics: A Focus on Ramp 2

The University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics (UIHC) complex can be a daunting place to navigate, especially for first-time visitors. Understanding the parking options, particularly at Hospital Parking Ramp 2, is crucial for a stress-free experience. This article provides a comprehensive guide to parking at UIHC, with a specific focus on Ramp 2, including directions, accessibility, payment options, and patient-specific information.

General Parking Information

UIHC offers several parking options for patients and visitors, including parking ramps and surface lots. Oversize vehicles must utilize surface lots due to height restrictions in the ramps. Parking dispatch provides 24/7 assistance through the entry and exit lane equipment.

Standard Parking Rates and Payment

Parking in hourly spaces on campus is subject to a standard hourly rate, up to a daily maximum. Payment can be made with cash or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover). All exit lanes accept credit cards, but only select lanes accept cash.

Patient Parking

A significant benefit offered by UIHC is free parking for patients with a valid Patient Parking Pass in Hospital Parking Ramps 1, 2, 3, and 4 (excluding valet parking).

Patient Parking Pass Details

Patients can receive one free parking pass for use during their visit. For prolonged patient visits, Patient Visitor Parking Pass Booklets are available to help limit parking costs.

Patient Parking Pass: Usage and Limitations

Time Limits: There is no limit to how long a patient's vehicle can stay in the ramp.
Driver Flexibility: The patient can use the parking pass whether they are driving or not.
Multiple Appointments: A new Patient Parking Pass is required for each appointment if a patient leaves and returns on the same day.
Prescription Pick-Up: Free parking passes are not available for simply picking up a prescription. However, parking in a hospital ramp is free for the first 30 minutes and only $0.75 for one hour.
Eligibility: Free parking passes are for patients receiving outpatient, procedural, surgical, or inpatient care at our hospital.

Directions to Hospital Parking Ramp 2

Hospital Parking Ramp 2 is located on Hawkins Drive in Des Moines.

Public Transportation

Several bus lines serve Hospital Parking Ramp 2 Entrance: 10, 21, 23, 34, and 380 EXPRESS.

Bus Routes and Stops

Bus Routes: 10 (Deerfield Dr & Duck Creek Dr), 31 (Red Route), 32 (Blue Route), 41 (Hawk Lot-Hospital), 51 (Hospital-Finkbine/Arena), 380 EXPRESS (Iowa City), 8 (Downtown Interchange), and 52 (Loop).
Closest Bus Stops:
- Hawkins Dr & Hospital Loop Dr (2 min walk)
- West Campus Transportation Center (5 min walk)
- Wctc (5 min walk)
- Melrose Ave & Hawkins Dr (6 min walk)
- Va Loop (6 min walk)

Bus Schedules

First Bus: The 51 is the first bus to Hospital Parking Ramp 2 Entrance, stopping nearby at 4:35 AM.
Last Bus: The 10 is the last bus to Hospital Parking Ramp 2 Entrance, stopping nearby at 9:55 PM.

Moovit provides free maps and live directions to help you navigate through the city.

Hospital Parking Ramp 2: Specific Information

The opening of Parking Ramp 2 allows visitors to park closer to many areas of Medical Center on University Campus and will help relieve congestion in other hospital ramps. The new underground ramp replaces old Parking Ramp 2, which closed for demolition in December 2012.

Design and Capacity

The underground ramp adds 651 parking spots on four levels. All handicapped-accessible spots are located on Levels 2 and 3.

Read also: History of the Block 'M'

Wayfinding

Upon entering the ramp, drivers will see a digital sign indicating how many spots are available on each level. The sign includes a separate listing for open handicapped-accessible spots.

Elevators are available in the northeast corner of the ramp, allowing visitors to enter the existing hospital on the Level 2 skyway. Visitors may also exit the ramp at ground level and walk across the entrance road and into the hospital.

The ramp was designed so each level is flat, making it easier to spot your vehicle when leaving an elevator lobby. In addition, planners used a color coding system to aid guests in remembering where they parked.

Green = Level 1
Yellow = Level 2
Blue = Level 3
Orange = Level 4

Lighting

White walls and ceilings, combined with numerous lights, make the ramp bright and inviting. Energy-saving LED lights emit white light, not the orange light often found in older parking ramps. To save energy, the ramp’s lights operate at 50 percent capacity until motion is detected. As soon as movement is detected, output will increase to 100 percent. Even after motion stops, lights stay on at full brightness for five additional minutes.

Security and Communication

There are 16 security phones for use in emergencies. Four are located on each level. When used, these phones emit a blue light. They also include a camera accessible by the Safety and Security staff. For added peace of mind, the ramp boasts 40 security cameras. Ramp 2 is also 100 percent Wi-Fi-enabled for your convenience.

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

Open Layout

The overhead clearance of Parking Ramp 2 is 8 feet, 2 inches. Minimal columns contribute to an open floor plan.

Environmental Conditions

To maintain proper air quality, fresh air comes into the facility through three shafts on the ramp’s south end. Three exhaust shafts on the north end remove air. Eighteen fans on each level circulate air throughout. The ramp employs a unique design that prevents water from running down the walls when it rains or snow melts.

Accessing Stead Family Children’s Hospital

To access the new Stead Family Children’s Hospital from Parking Ramp 2, look for the elevators located in the southeast corner of the parking ramp. Press the elevator button marked “G” to reach the lobby. Public elevators inside the lobby are available to access floors inside Stead Family Children’s Hospital. If you need help finding your way, assistance is available at the information desk.

Exiting Stead Family Children’s Hospital

When leaving the hospital, take the public elevators to the lobby. From there, visitors can access the Parking Ramp 2 elevators to reach the level where they parked. If it is more convenient, families can take the public elevators to the discharge lobby located on Lower Level 1 (LL1) of the hospital. The discharge lobby exits into Level 1 of the parking ramp. This level has eight short-term spots designated for families picking up patients. The discharge lobby is only for exiting the hospital.

Additional Information

Bus Parking

If arriving in a school or charter bus, the bus must park at the Hancher Auditorium (141 East Park Road, Iowa City, IA 52242) parking lot. Bus parking is limited due to the ongoing campus building and renovation projects. If you are unable to find adequate parking in the Hancher lot, please park in the Upper City Park Circle, located off Park Road. Drivers of the bus must stay with the bus at all times. Buses are not to stay parked in bus lanes throughout your UI Health Care experience.

Groups Meeting at the Main Entrance of UI Health Care

Arrive at the main entrance of University of Iowa Health Care on University Campus (200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242). Buses may drop visitors off at our West Campus Transportation Center, about two blocks from the hospital’s main entrance. Your group can either use outside sidewalks or the skywalk to make your way from the Transportation Center to the main entrance. If you are bringing a smaller vehicle, you may park in Hospital Ramp 3 located on the west side of Hawkins Drive. Individuals may take the skywalk across Hawkins Drive and take the escalator down to the main lobby.

Groups Meeting at the Northwest Entrance of the Medical Education and Research Facility

Please arrive at the northwest entrance of the Medical Education and Research Facility (375 Newton Road, Iowa City, IA 52242). Buses may drop visitors off just outside the northwest entrance in the bus lane. If you are bringing a smaller vehicle, you can park across the street in the Newton Road Ramp.

tags: #university #of #iowa #hospitals #and #clinics