Here's A Question For Ya …
In response to a story I wrote about a proposed master plan for Bricktown, I heard this complaint from Phillip – and it’s not the first time I’ve heard this:
I, like most locals, avoid Bricktown like the plague. There are too many other places to go eat and see a movie without the parking hassels and the stupid metermaids circling like vultures just waiting to write you a ticket…..I got a ticket once even though I was legally parked…why you ask?…because my license sticker was out of date but within the 30 day grace period….the judge dismissed it with costs as soon as he read it….then he shook his head with disbelief.
Now, here’s the question of the day: How is the city encouraging urban development if one can park at Quail Springs Mall and not worry about getting ticketed for an out-of-date plate sticker while parked, and yet they face that strong possibility when they are downtown or in Bricktown?
And here’s another question of the day: With the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office having a substation at Quail Springs, if the meter enforcement folks are required by law to ticket for out-of-date plate stickers, wouldn’t the sheriff’s office have the same obligation?
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Comments
I don’t really care what the “Bricktown parking problem” people say. If they got what they wanted, bricktown would look like the Memorial Road sea of parking.
I agree that laws should be enforced everywhere equally. The tag thing is pretty silly but if they are going to do it, then they should everywhere.
Steve, I think you and I both know that the only people that make a fuss about parking in Bricktown are the ones who think it should be like QS. No offence but discussing it in a this blog is a waste of space. There is PLENTY of parking…as a matter of fact, way too much for an urban district. And you gotta pay…that is the norm for all big cities.
I will agree that contrary to what people say, even on Bricktown’s busiest days, I’ve found parking available within two blocks of the heart of the district (including during the Big 12 tournament). My questions are aimed at how people parking in Bricktown are subject to extra scutiny on tag renewals, etc., than they are at a suburban mall. Shouldn’t enforcement efforts for a such matters be equal whether the area is suburban or urban?
Come on Steve, is it a slow Friday????
Do the meter maids go into private parking lots in Bricktown? NO!
But they do patrol the streets which are public? Is Quail Springs Mall or any of the parking lots at the restaurants along Memorial private or public space?
Compare apples to apples.
Not to mention the parking enforcement in Bricktown has become much more entertainment district friendly in the past 18 months with the new Captain Bricktown has.
OK Jim, apples to apples….
Are police cruising along Western Avenue or Paseo, which also has curbside parking, looking for expired license plate stickers?
Parking may not be in issue regarding find a space, but some locals are tired of the prices. Now if I’m going down there for an event, I would expect to pay to be within walking distance. However, for the growth of retail, which almost everyone agrees is a major need in Bricktown, nobody is going to want to pay to shop. There does need to be more free parking. As residential grows and retail grows, the need for cheaper or free parking will be greater. Tourists will not maintain the momentum, we need the locals behind this as well. And I can park for free at QS.
I disagree.
Once Bricktown becomes a destination for retail, parking prices won’t be an issue. Nobody wants to pay $5 to shop 3 stores, but they will gladly pay to shop 50+ stores.
The problems is, “once Bricktown is a destination for retail” parking won’t be an issue. Why not curb the problem now to show we are serious about getting retail. And we aren’t talking all $5… most range between $5-10. I don’t know too many retailers that would want to invest into Bricktown right now that would drive the 50+ store mark. I’ve worked in retail management a long time and in order to obtain that goal you need several strong anchor stores to prove the stability of the district. The ma and pa stores, tho nice and gives a good local flavor won’t draw people downtown shop. I’ve already read that the very few retailers we have done there, the biggest complaint they have is parking. Also, I’ve lived in Wichita, KS for several years and even according to this site, they enjoy majority free parking… and guess what? They have double or triple the retail we have and they don’t have a canal or as many restaurants or a nice ballpark to draw people.
I’d say the odds are against Bricktown becoming a “destination” for retail in the near future. Nichols Hills Plaza is the only area even on the radar for such a designation. Other, more viable options include Midtown, Automobile Alley and Core to Shore, imo, unless someone with serious cash starts dreaming big & putting plans on the table to bend Bricktown to their will.
Core to shore as a retail destination in the “near future”, no chance. Maybe long term, but not in the next 5 years.
Bricktown will have retail before Core to Shore, things are changing in Bricktwon, slowly, but changing.
Bricktown will start to see the economic effect of the NBA vote in the next 6 to 9 months. Announcements will come…
The NBA, when and if, will really help all around economy in Bricktown, not just retail. I also think with the increase in residential and with the core to shore adding additional property for development and residential… retail has to follow. People that live and work downtown won’t want to shop all over town. I’m sure they would like to get the majority right within walking distance. Hopefully within the next 5 years the parking situation will have worked itself out. With a combination of free parking and paid parking closer to the major areas and attractions.
I find the whole not-finding-a-parking-space in Bricktown total bull. I have never…EVER had a problem finding a place to park. Granted I don’t try to find a parking space that right next to my destination. I usually park in downtown or on the very north side of Bricktown, a couple of blocks away from where I’m going. Perhaps if we all did this, we would be at a better stance at reaching one million pounds lost. Lord knows, some people NEED to take a 3 minute walk sometimes.