Comments on: Major League Growing Pains

By: Bud

Bud — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:11:29 +0000

Why can’t the city just designate the curb in front of MM’s as available for parking by MM’s Valet’s? That way, just as in Dallas or most other mid-sized cities the “nicer” vehicles are parked up front. This is good for everyone. 1. Valets don’t have to move the Bentley, Ferrari or giant F-350 more than 10 feet (if that). 2. The players (and anyone else with these transportation means) are being hassled by traffic cops who could be perusing the other, more dangerous parts of the city to rid it of drunk drivers and gang related activities. 3. MM’s get’s to look like the “hot place to go” with all of its patrons’ flashy modes of transportation shining under their stoop.

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 13:08:45 +0000

It would be relevant to look at a variety of cities, not just Seattle. Isn’t it just a $10 or $15 ticket? In the scheme of things, if you’re making 3 to 6 million a year, that’s tiny. I also don’t think it’s the issue of valet that necessarily scares the players, it’s where they park. The valet lots for many of the places in downtown are out of sight – even in Chicago it’s rare to see valet drivers running such a distance to get a vehicle.

Related to Nick’s comment – Steve, have you ever noticed how often Police vehicles park in front of the station and use up spaces that citizens could use? When I used to try to frequent BrewHaHa that really annoyed me.

By: SW

SW — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 06:23:14 +0000

Would it be relevant to find out how Seattle handled this same situation with these same players?

By: Nick Roberts

Nick Roberts — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 06:05:45 +0000

Why I think we should trust the people at COTPA to fix the problem, that sounds like a great idea.

In all seriousness though, the police substation should have NEVER been put in Bricktown if it was going to mean we can’t park anywhere without getting a parking ticket. This is one of the many reasons I hate cops.

By: John

John — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 06:05:21 +0000

I think the solution for the NBAers not wanting to turn the keys of their Bentleys to a valet would be to just bring the Escalade instead.

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 05:59:40 +0000

It sounds to me like the players are basically saying they are going to park on the curb because they don’t care about paying a $150 ticket.

This idea that they aren’t comfortable giving their keys to a valet doesn’t make any sense. It would be the same in any “big league city”. Is it that Mickey Mantles’ valets don’t look professional or trustworthy? Otherwise, it doesn’t make any sense to me.

By: Danny

Danny — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 03:49:35 +0000

Sorry if it was confusing, I do think it is a parking management issue. I didn’t convey my thoughts in a concise way.

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 01:46:55 +0000

Not sure if I get your gist Danny. Are you saying the parking infrastructure isn’t sufficient for the crowds going to the NBA games? If so, I’d advise you to check out the parking for yourself. I’ve seen parking offered up for free in Bricktown on the Thunder’s opening night (a packed house) and dozens of FREE parking spaces went unused.

Wouldn’t this be more of a parking management issue?

By: Danny

Danny — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 01:19:18 +0000

Why wasn’t this an issue that was thought of before the NBA came to town (especially this being the second time in 4 years)? Why did the city leaders push through a media blitz to make us a ‘big league city’ (and the subsequent tax extension) and not plan to have the infrastructure in place for things like parking? Was this considered when we voted on the ‘state of emergency’ to bring the Thunder here?

I’m enjoying the NBA in town. I think it’s helped to keep us from sliding into a recession like other cities in the region. But if we’re going to be a professional city, then we need to act like such beforehand, not having police bother valet persons.

By: jim

jim — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:41:00 +0000

This issue has been discussed in Bricktown. There was already a meeting set up to listen all parties involved and work out a solution.
Jim