Personally, I've said it before with many others and I'll say it again but there is no parking problem in Bricktown or downtown. The only parking problem there is is too many surface parking lots. I'll be po'd if the city waste's $40,000 on a parking study. This is money that could be better spent elsewhere.

$40,000 study may offer solution to Bricktown parking

By Steve Lackmeyer
The Oklahoman

Maybe you think you've heard all there is to hear about parking in Bricktown. But here's something you may not know: Mayor Mick Cornett confirms he's approached some Bricktown parking operators about the prospect of the city buying them out.



Whether such a buyout will take place, or how that might affect parking rates or supply in the entertainment district, is all just a guessing game right now.

Cornett says he's not taking any further action until he sees results from a study the city may commission today with Desman Associates.

The $40,000 contract is a significant step by City Hall into the long-running parking debate.

For years, visitors and merchants have complained about either the supply or rates. Parking operators, especially those known to charge $10 and up on event nights, routinely dismiss such criticism. The arguments go on and on. What's clear is this: Bricktown restaurants do not control their own parking and the same issue has been cited by three failed retailers.

A review of Desman's Web site indicates the city has found itself an experienced hand at dealing with parking. The company has offices in seven cities, and one has to assume this outside voice may finally come up with a cold, reasoned analysis and potential solution that goes beyond merchants-versus-parking operators, or whether Bricktown should be compared to cities like Fort Worth where parking is free or Denver where a visitor has to shell out $15 to $20.

The folks at Desman will not see Bricktown parking as we've known it the past 15 years. For the first time in the history of the entertainment district, a majority of Bricktown's restaurants have agreed to validate lunchtime parking — a service that starts Wednesday.

They can also retrieve comments being gathered through www.fixbricktown.com, a Web site launched by Frank Sims, former director of the Bricktown Association who now leads the new Bricktown Marketing Group. So far the group reports receiving dozens of responses, mostly negative, about the prices being charged in the entertainment district.

And Desman will surely glance at a survey completed last year, but never publicly released, that showed an overwhelming majority of residents have a grim view of Bricktown's parking rates.

You can bet Bricktown merchants and parking operators will eagerly await Desman's report. And we now know Cornett is prepared to consider every option.