And The Answer Is …
Avis Scaramucci
The parking lot with the $20 parking is attached to the Rock Island Plow Building, owned by Bricktown Association chairwoman Avis Scaramucci. The irony is, of course, that it was Avis who led the charge against $20 parking arguing it gives Bricktown a bad image to locals and visitors.
I talked with Avis today, who responded she was surprised by the $20 charge. She said she contracts with American Parking to operate the lot, receives a flat sum each month with any profit pocketed by American Parking. She says she still thinks $20 parking signs hurt Bricktown’s image, and said she will talk to the operator. She said she didn’t have any control over the operator’s price controls and wasn’t aware of the charge because she doesn’t drive along Reno Avenue.
When asked further about this question of control, she did acknowledge she has the option of terminating her agreement with the operator. I’ll be interested in hearing what more she has to say after talking with American Parking. What’s interesting is that Brent and Brett Brewer were tagged with being behind these charges, when in fact, I can’t say I’ve seen them go with $20 parking since the association members and parking operators agreed to cap their charges at $10. Now, to be fair, keep in mind that Avis has donated a lot of her time and resources to Bricktown, making it better, and her pride in the district can be seen from the moment someone drives by her restaurant, sees the elaborate landscaping, and then for anyone who goes inside and sees one of the nicest establishments in Bricktown.
I can’t imagine she’s too thrilled with American Parking right now. So what happens next?
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Comments
No one should have to pay $20 to park next to that eyesore of a building. Seriously, that thing is a blight on bricktown.
…..yeah, a blight. They should tear that the RIP building down and use the space for more parking. Then, with more spaces available, they could afford to lower the price.
She probably drives down Sheridan instead. Also I’m pretty sure Avis is very open to the idea of renovating the Rock Island bldg but she would need a partner in the deal.
My vote would be to eliminate the $20 parking by developing the Rock Island Plow building and the adjacent lot. I hate to see parking lots on major streets in Bricktown, and I hate to see great old buildings rotting away.