$20 Parking Returns to Bricktown

$20 parking returns to Bricktown

A couple of years ago, Bricktown merchants and property owners banded together behind association chair Avis Scaramuci and director Jim Cowan and tried to address complaints about parking once and for all. For years the district had argued it was not a real problem, it was a perception problem. It was Scaramuci and Cowan (who left as director last summer) who realized they shared responsibility for that perception problem.

So what did they do? They first tried a half-hearted merchant validation program. I say half-hearted because Jim, toward the end, would admit promotion and explanation of the program to visitors could have been better. The district then stood together and promised to end $20 parking. They also teamed up with the Thunder during its first-ever home game – a night when every space downtown was expected to be taken. They provided free parking – free – at the Bricktown garage and the lots along Main Street. And guess what? Dozens of spaces went untaken.

From that point on, the number of emails, calls and comments I received complaining about parking in Bricktown dropped significantly.

But now the $20 parking is back … care to guess who owns this lot? (MORE TO COME)

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Comments

This photo was only able to be taken on New Year’s Eve, right?

It’s not like this every day is it?

This sign was up Monday through Wednesday. I’m betting that after I called the owner today, it was taken down….

Does the company start with a “B?”

Nope.

County Assessor is showing it is owned by Bricktown Canal Properties

Looks like the lot next to the Plow building. I think that’s owned by Avis, but she leases out the parking lot to an independent company. If that’s right, I bet she corrects the isssue right away.

I can’t comprehend why anyone would pay that parking rate.
I mean sure, it’s an ok view of the new Devon tower once you’re past the tree, but there are scads of free parking spaces.

Sure, it is January and sure, it can be chilly day or eve.
C’mon people! Gloves are cheaper and they last longer too.

Tell the price nuts they are indeed nuts. Then walk a spell. Don’t be so lazy.

This advice is coming to you from a tubby so tubby you probably would (wrongly) suspect never gets up to find the remote, let alone take a stroll before and after an evening in BT.

Question: How does the Bass Pro Shop police its lot, especially on big event nights? I’m thinking if I’m Bass Pro, I’m hating $20 parking because it chases people into its lot for free parking.

The city needs to build some big nice parking garages.
The people running the eyesore lots may be motivated to sell.
The land could then be developed into something more useful.
Give them some competition. They are a drag on economic development and create ugly unused space.

Avis?

Sounds like more justification for curb parking and parking meters. Just think, anyone willing to pay $20 to park will gladly pay a $10 parking ticket. Just think of all the money the city could make! :)

might as well post a “no trespassing” sign…

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