Parking Madness: Minneapolis vs. Columbia, South Carolina

Today we’re getting a look at the last two contestants in Streetsblog’s Parking Madness bracket, the tournament that will “crown” the worst parking crater in the U.S. But don’t worry. Milwaukee, Tulsa, Dallas, Atlanta, Louisville, Cleveland, Houston, and today’s winner still need to do battle to determine the final victor. The final first round match-up is Minneapolis versus Columbia, South Carolina.

First, Minneapolis. Twin Cities resident Eddie Cunat sent us these photos, taken from his downtown office building.

This crater is located on the corner of 9th Street and 2nd Avenue South in the City of Lakes. It takes up an entire city block, with the exception of two very tiny-looking buildings. Eddie tells us: “That structure in the upper right is also a parking ramp, formerly home to the Leamington Hotel.”

An alternate view shows the crater nestled against some of the city’s tallest buildings.

One more aerial photo shows the area more broadly:

Eddie says:

This is a picture of the East side of downtown Minneapolis. You can see where the tall buildings abruptly end and they are replaced by parking lots. I have noted each surface lot and dedicated parking facility in the area with an icon. The area is covered with them. The Metrodome is the white facility near the center.

But enough about Minneapolis. Here we have Columbia, South Carolina:

This scene is just a stone’s throw from the state capitol. (The wooded area in the bottom right corner shows the edge of the grounds.) Note the almost complete lack of cars in this picture, midday. Perhaps this is a weekend scene? This area is home to a few odd restaurants, an army recruiting station (in the top center, with the garage on the roof), and not much else. Just out of the frame is the Richland County Public Library.

Here’s an extremely desolate street-level view facing away from the statehouse.

With that, let’s vote.

[poll id=”37″]

Next week: The “Great Eight” face off for Parking Madness ignominy.