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Main Quadrangles Pedestrian Zone

Questions and Comments about the Permit Process or the Interim Main Quadrangles Pedestrian Zone Policy: Please send an email to mainquad-policy@lists.uchicago.edu.

Interim Policy

The Main Quadrangle Pedestrian Zone is identified as the portion of the campus bounded to the north by 57th Street, to the west by Ellis Avenue, to the south by 59th Street, and to the east by University Avenue. Vehicular access is prohibited between the hours of 7:30AM and 12:00AM (Midnight), seven days a week. University Vehicles are restricted between 7:00AM and 12:00AM seven days a week. No vehicles, moving or parked, will be allowed within the Main Quadrangle Pedestrian Zone unless an exception permit is displayed. Effective immediately quad permits will be mainly issued for construction or facility related repair work. Catering vendors are encouraged to wheel supplies to the destination on the Quad from the University Ave. access point. All other Quad access requests submitted that do not specifically pertain to construction or repair work will be carefully reviewed and considered on a case by case basis.

Enforcement

The Interim Main Quadrangle Policy requires enforcement to prohibit vehicular traffic from entering the pedestrian zone. Enforcement involves active management of the 58th Street & University Avenue entrance and signage indicating the Main Quadrangle is a pedestrian zone. Active management begins with monitoring by the UCPD. A moveable barrier (e.g., retractable bollards) is proposed as the permanent solution which reduces the need for ongoing Police monitoring.

Exceptions to Policy

The following services will not require an exception permit to access the Main Quadrangle:
(Emergency work is defined as any situation that will result in a threat to life, safety, health, facilities, or utilities if not responded to immediately. A maintenance emergency is also defined as any situation that will result in the cancellation of classes or events if not responded to immediately.)

  1. Emergency vehicles
  2. Maintenance vehicles performing emergency work
  3. Snow removal vehicles (only after 7:00AM as absolutely necessary for pedestrian safety)
  4. University of Chicago Police Department vehicles

The following types of vehicular-related activity will be allowed by permit:

  1. Dial-A-Ride Bus, Injured Student Transportation, and other approved disabled persons transportation, which is essential for enabling physically challenged students/faculty/staff to access destinations in the Main Quadrangle Pedestrian Zone.
  2. Annual campus events organized by the Office of Special Events and the College Programming Office, including convocations, reunions, orientations, and other special University celebrations.
  3. Annual student events under the supervision of ORCSA, which require setup on the Main Quadrangle.

Exception Permit Process

Vehicles requiring access into the Main Quadrangles Pedestrian Zone must be issued and display an exception permit from the Transportation & Parking Office. The purpose of the permit is to control the number, location, and duration of vehicles in the pedestrian zone. We strongly suggest that requests be submitted well in advance of the need.

To obtain an exception permit the following is required:

For all other non-Main Quadrangle permit and parking questions, please contact the Transportation & Parking Office at 773-702-8969.

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