Street closures and parking restrictions for Convocation
MAY 21, 2024
The University of Chicago will hold its 538th Convocation on Saturday, June 1, 2024. Convocation will take place on the Main Quadrangle at the University of Chicago campus with gates opening at 7 a.m.
In the lead up to the ceremony, there will be several road closures and parking restrictions on the University of Chicago’s campus.
University Avenue will be closed between 57th Street and 59th Street from Saturday, May 25 until Monday, May 27 for Convocation preparation.
Several parking restrictions will also take effect in the area around the University of Chicago’s campus beginning Wednesday, May 22 and lasting until Wednesday, June 5:
- Parking restrictions: Wednesday, May 22, 2024 — Wednesday, June 5, 2024
- Both sides of University Avenue from 57th Street to 59th Street
- Both sides of 57th Street from Ellis Avenue to University Avenue
- Both sides of 56th Street from Cottage Grove Avenue to Ellis Avenue
- The west side of Ellis Avenue for 100 feet north of 56th Street
- 1100 North Midway Plaisance
- 59th Street from Woodlawn Avenue to Kimbark Avenue
- North Midway Plaisance from Dorchester Avenue to Kenwood Avenue
- 59th Street from South Ellis Avenue to 860 E. 59th Street
- 60th Street from 1231 E. 60th Street to 1337 E. 60th Street
- Parking restrictions: Thursday, May 30, 2024 — Sunday, June 2, 2024
- Ellis Avenue from 57th Street to 59th Street
- Parking restrictions: Friday, May 31, 2024 — Saturday, June 1, 2024
- 59th Street from Maryland Avenue to Dorchester Avenue
- Parking restrictions: Saturday, June 1, 2024
- North Midway Plaisance from Cottage Grove Avenue to South Stony Island
In addition to the parking restrictions mentioned above, there will be further street closures and parking restrictions on Convocation Weekend beginning Friday, May 31.
Public transportation via the CTA 171 and 172 bus routes will be rerouted from 7 a.m. to noon and will have service suspended from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 1. Regular service will resume at 5 p.m.
UGo Shuttles will NOT be affected by any street closures on Convocation weekend.
For more information, including several FAQs, you can visit the University of Chicago’s Convocation website.
A more detailed breakdown of street closures and parking restrictions for Convocation weekend can be found below:
Friday, May 31:
Parking Restrictions:
- Both sides of Drexel Avenue from 56th Street to 57th Street
- Both sides of Ellis Avenue from 57th Street to 59th Street
- Both sides of University Avenue from 57th Street to 59th Street
- Both sides of Kimbark Avenue from 60th Street
- Both sides of 56th Street from Cottage Grove to Ellis Avenue
- Both sides of 57th Street from Ellis Avenue to University Avenue
- The first 100 feet on the north side of North Midway Plaisance from Dorchester Avenue
- The south side of Midway Plaisance North from Ellis Avenue to University Avenue
- The north side of 60th Street from Kimbark Avenue to Kenwood Avenue
Street Closures:
- Ellis Avenue from 57th Street to 59th Street
- University Avenue from 57th Street to 59th Street
Parking operations at campus and medical center lots will remain the same on Friday, May 31.
Public transportation via the CTA 171 and 172 bus routes will also be unaffected.
Saturday, June 1:
Parking Restrictions:
- Both sides of Drexel Avenue from 56th Street to 57th Street
- Both sides of Ellis Avenue from 57th Street to 59th Street
- Both sides of University Avenue from 57th Street to 59th Street
- Both sides of Kimbark Avenue from 60th Street
- Both sides of 56th Street from Cottage Grove to Ellis Avenue
- Both sides of 57th Street from Ellis Avenue to University Avenue
- Both sides of 59th Street from Maryland Avenue to Blackstone Avenue
- Both sides of North Midway Plaisance from Cottage Grove Avenue to Stony Island Avenue
- The north side of 60th Street from Kimbark Avenue to Kenwood Avenue
Street Closures:
- Drexel Avenue from 56th Street to 57th Street
- Ellis Avenue from 57th Street to 59th Street
- University Avenue from 57th Street to 59th Street
- Kimbark Avenue from 56th Street to 57th Street
- North Midway Plaisance from Cottage Grove Avenue to Stony Island Avenue
- 56th Street from Drexel Avenue to Ellis Avenue
- 57th Street from Woodlawn Avenue to Kenwood Avenue
- 59th Street from Maryland Avenue to Dorchester Avenue
Operations at the medical center will remain as is, however parking for medical center guests and patients will be provided exclusively at Parking Garage B, located at the corner of 57th and Cottage Grove.
Public transportation via the CTA 171 and 172 bus routes will be rerouted from 7 a.m. to noon and will have service suspended from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 1. Regular service will resume at 5 p.m.
There will also be street closures on 57th Street and Kimbark Avenue related to the 57th Street Art Fair.
Sunday, June 2:
Parking Restrictions:
- Both sides of Ellis Avenue from 57th Street to 59th Street
- The first 100 feet on the west side of Ellis Avenue from 55th Street
- Both sides of University Avenue from 57th Street to 59th Street
- Both sides of Kimbark Avenue from 60th Street
- Both sides of 56th Street from Cottage Grove to Ellis Avenue
- The south side of 59th Street from Woodlawn Avenue to Kimbark Avenue
- The south side of North Midway Plaisance from University Avenue
- The north side of 60th Street from Kimbark Avenue to Kenwood Avenue
Street Closures:
- University Avenue from 57th Street to 59th Street from 7 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
- Kimbark Avenue from 56th Street to 57th Street
- 57th Street from Woodlawn Avenue to Kenwood Avenue
Parking operations on campus and medical center lots will remain the same on Sunday, June 2.
Public transportation via the CTA 171 and 172 bus routes will be unaffected.
There will be street closures on 57th Street and Kimbark Avenue related to the 57th Street Art Fair.