FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: 10/24/2022 Contact: Lee Hermiston, Public Safety Information Officer Phone: 319-356-5095
UI Homecoming street closures, parking and transit impacts
One of the great fall traditions in Iowa City - the annual University of Iowa Homecoming Parade - will be back in Downtown Iowa City on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022.
The parade will begin at 5:45 p.m., so be aware of related street closures, parking restrictions, and changes to the City's transit routes earlier in the day.
Parade Route
The parade will begin at the intersection of Washington and Gilbert Streets, proceeding west on Washington Street, then turn north on Clinton Street, east on Jefferson Street, south on Dubuque Street, then east on Iowa Avenue, and finish where Iowa Avenue intersects with Gilbert Street.
A map of the 2022 University of Iowa Homecoming Parade route.
Street Closures
At 4 p.m. on Friday:
Van Buren Street, between Jefferson and Burlington
Johnson Street, between Jefferson and Burlington
College Street, between Van Buren and Dodge
Washington Street, between Gilbert and Dodge
Iowa Avenue, between Gilbert and Dodge
Jefferson Street, between Gilbert and Dodge
At 4:30 p.m. on Friday:
Clinton Street, between Market and College
Dubuque Street, between Jefferson and Washington
Washington Street, between Clinton and Gilbert
Iowa Avenue, between Clinton and Gilbert
At 5:30 p.m. on Friday:
Gilbert Street, between Market and College
Jefferson Street, between Madison and Gilbert
Most streets will reopen immediately following the parade around 8 p.m., but Clinton Street, between Washington and Jefferson Street, and Iowa Avenue, between Clinton and Dubuque streets, will remain closed for the Homecoming Coronation and a concert on the Pentacrest. Event details can be found here.
Parking
Downtown parking will be impacted on parade day with parking restrictions displayed along the parade route. Please follow posted signage to avoid a tow.
No parking
"No Parking" signs will be placed along the parade route and inside the staging area, with some set up as early as noon. Others will be implemented at 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., and 4 p.m. Vehicles parked in no parking areas will be towed.
Watch closely for these signs to avoid tickets and towing, which will begin as early as 12:30 p.m.
Owners whose cars have been towed will need to obtain a vehicle release from the Iowa City Police Department, City Hall, 410 E. Washington St.
Parade impacted parking ramps
Tower Place Parking Ramp, 335 Iowa Ave., will close at 5 p.m., no longer allowing vehicles to enter or exit. Vehicles need to be out by 5 p.m. or risk having to remain in place until the parade ends.
People parked in the lower level of the Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp, 452 E. College St., will need to exit on the south side through the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center parking lot beginning at 4 p.m. People parked in the upper levels of Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp must exit to the west on College Street.
Spectator parking
All City of Iowa City parking ramps, except Tower Place, will be open and operate normally during the parade. Ramps near the parade route fill up quickly, so please consider arriving early.
Spectators can also pay for parking with their smartphones, by downloading the ParkMobile app. Use it wherever ParkMobile signs are displayed, including on-street spaces, and inside the Chauncey Swan and Harrison Street parking ramps.
Accessible parking and seating
An area near the intersection of Jefferson and Clinton streets, on the Pentacrest side of the street, has been set aside for accessible seating. Vehicles picking up and dropping off spectators who plan to use this area may be able to park adjacent to the closed section of Jefferson Street, located west of the intersection, and Clinton Street, located north of the intersection, as space allows.
Transit
Iowa City Transit will make operational changes on Friday to accommodate the parade.
Starting at 6 a.m., the bus interchange will move from Washington and Clinton streets to a temporary location on Court Street between Clinton and Dubuque (adjacent to the Court Street Transportation Center) streets for the duration of the service day. Normal bus service using the main transit interchange will resume on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022.
The last Southside Shuttle will depart the alternate interchange on Court Street at 3:30 p.m.
The outbound bus stops located at Clinton Street & Jefferson Street (stop 7400), Jefferson Street & Linn Street (stop 7401), Jefferson Street & Van Buren Street (stop 7123), and Jefferson Street & Lucas Street (stop 8343) will be closed to bus service for the entirety of the service day. The inbound bus stops located at Mercy Hospital (stop 7443), Market Street & Linn Street (stop 7206), Clinton Street & Jefferson Street (stop 7207), Market Street & Clinton Street – Old Brick (stop 8218) will also be closed. Customers who use these stops should catch their buses at the alternate interchange on Court Street. These stops will reopen on Saturday, October 29, 2022.
Additional Information
Iowa City Police urge parents or guardians of young children to keep a close eye on them throughout the parade and keep them within an arm’s length. Fencing will be in place along the route to help protect young attendees. Children should not enter the street under any circumstances during the parade.
For questions about parking and transit, call 319-356-5151. For all other City-related questions, contact Public Safety Information Officer Lee Hermiston at 319-356-5095 or LHermiston@iowa-city.org.
For details about the Homecoming parade and other festivities, visit homecoming.uiowa.edu.
