
The Main Parking Ramp for the GRCC Campus & Heritage Hill
This is a multi-storey parking garage that is part of the Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) downtown campus. It is the primary parking facility serving Sneden Hall and other buildings on the northern part of the GRCC campus. Its main function is to provide parking for GRCC students, faculty, and staff. However, like other GRCC ramps, it is also open for paid public parking, making it a valuable resource for visitors to the Heritage Hill neighbourhood and the northeast side of downtown. The official name of this facility is likely the GRCC Bostwick Parking Ramp.
The ramp is typically open from early morning until late evening on weekdays, with potentially reduced hours on weekends. It is not always a 24/7 facility, so users should be aware of the posted closing times.
Rating: 4.2/5.0 (Google Reviews)This ramp is well-regarded by both students and the public. Students appreciate its convenient location for classes in Sneden Hall and the Main Building. Public users find it to be a clean, safe, and reasonably priced parking option, especially for events on the GRCC campus or in the nearby Heritage Hill district.
The facility uses a dual system. GRCC students and staff can use their RaiderCard ID for access and payment, with parking fees often linked to their student account. The general public can take a ticket upon entry and pay at an automated pay-on-foot station before exiting. The public rates are set by GRCC and are competitive with the city’s municipal garages. It typically does not use surge or event pricing, making it a good value.
Capacity & Physical FeaturesThe Bostwick Ramp is a large facility with a substantial capacity of over 1,200 spaces, ensuring good availability, especially outside of peak class times. A key feature is its skywalk connection, which links the ramp directly to the main GRCC campus buildings, providing a safe and weather-protected route for students.
AccessibilityThe garage is modern and fully ADA-compliant, with numerous designated accessible parking spaces located on each level near the lifts. The skywalk and connections to campus are also fully accessible.
EV InfrastructureThe GRCC Bostwick Ramp is equipped with Level 2 Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations, available for use by both the GRCC community and the paying public.
Peak Times & OccupancyThe ramp is at its busiest on weekdays between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM, when the majority of GRCC classes are in session. During these times, it can be crowded. However, during evenings, weekends, and academic breaks, the ramp has very high availability, which makes it an excellent public parking option.
Walkability Score and Locations: 90 (Walker’s Paradise)The location is superb for accessing the GRCC campus and the surrounding area. It is a very short walk to all GRCC buildings, the Grand Rapids Public Library, and the St. Cecilia Music Centre. It is also at the edge of the beautiful Heritage Hill historic residential district, making it a great place to park for a walking tour.
The primary amenities are the facilities of the GRCC campus. For the public, it is ideally situated for visits to the library, the Fountain Street Church, and events in the Heritage Hill area. It is also close to the eastern edge of the Medical Mile.
Alternative Parking ComparisonThis ramp’s main competitor is the GRCC Ransom Ramp, located just a block away. Both offer a similar experience and value. The Bostwick Ramp is slightly more convenient for buildings on the northern part of the campus. Compared to downtown city ramps, the GRCC ramps are often a slightly better value, particularly during evenings and weekends.
Important NoticesPublic users should take a ticket upon entry and pay at a pay station before returning to their vehicle. Be aware of the ramp’s closing time to avoid having your vehicle locked in overnight.
MaintenanceThe facility is maintained to a high institutional standard by GRCC’s facilities department, ensuring it remains clean, safe, and fully operational.
Expert TipsThis is an excellent and often overlooked public parking option, especially on weekends. If you are planning a walking tour of the magnificent homes in the Heritage Hill district, parking here is a perfect and affordable starting point.
GRCC will continue to invest in its campus facilities, which may include future upgrades to the ramp’s payment systems, lighting, or an expansion of its EV charging capacity to meet growing demand.