Planning a visit to the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) headquarters at 955 Park Street? Here’s what you need to know about parking and security to ensure a smooth visit.
Parking at SCDOT Headquarters
Visitor parking for the South Carolina Department of Transportation headquarters is conveniently situated in the Innovista Parking Garage, located at the corner of Park and College Street. To access visitor parking, please use the Park Street entrance for both entering and exiting the garage. Upon entering, ensure you obtain a parking ticket from the machine, as this will be required when you leave.
When parking, please proceed to Level 5 or higher within the garage. It is important to adhere to parking guidelines and refrain from parking in any spaces marked as reserved. This includes spaces designated for DOT employees, as these are specifically allocated and paid for by employees assigned to the SCDOT Headquarters Building. By parking on Level 5 or above and avoiding reserved spots, you will ensure you are in the correct area for visitor parking.
For any questions or concerns regarding parking procedures for visitors, please contact the parking coordinator for immediate assistance. You can reach them at (803) 737-1771 or (803) 530-5258.
Security Procedures for Visitors
Ensuring the security of the South Carolina Department of Transportation headquarters is a priority. Therefore, all individuals conducting business at 955 Park Street, without exception, must wear a security identification badge, and this includes all visitors. A visitor is defined as anyone who has not been issued a permanent security identification badge by the South Carolina Department of Transportation.
There are a few exceptions where alternative badges are recognized for entrance to the SCDOT headquarters building. Badges issued by the Columbia Division of the Federal Highway Administration are recognized and will grant employees unescorted access. Similarly, visitors who hold security badges issued by the South Carolina House of Representatives or the South Carolina State Senate will also be permitted unescorted access. For announced public meetings, while an escort is not required, individuals are still required to obtain a visitor’s badge and sign in at the visitor control point upon arrival.
All visitors during normal business hours should enter through the main doors located on Park Street. Upon entry, you will be directed to sign in at the visitor control point where you will be issued a visitor badge. Building security staff will then contact the SCDOT office you are scheduled to visit. A representative from that office, wearing an official SCDOT badge, will then be dispatched to escort you from the visitor control point to the office where your business will be conducted. It is important to note that visitors are only authorized to visit the specific office indicated on the sign-in sheet.
Once your meeting or business is concluded, you will be accompanied by a DOT headquarters employee back to either the main entrance or the ground entrance, depending on accessibility. Here, you will sign out and return your visitor badge. Please be aware that the main entrance to the building closes at 6 PM daily.
For media personnel, it is important to note that with the exception of announced public meetings, all media representatives are required to be escorted at all times while in the SCDOT headquarters building.
