Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Parking

The “Elite Eight” of Parking Madness: Milwaukee vs. Columbia

So far, Texas is really dominating our Parking Madness tournament. The two Final Four spots awarded so far have gone to Lone Star heavyweights Dallas and Houston. We might have an all-Texas final.

But there are still two remaining spots in the Final Four of terrible downtown parking craters. One of those spots is going to go to either Milwaukee or Columbia, South Carolina -- today's Elite Eight match-up.

Let's refresh ourselves with the Milwaukee parking crater:

false

Submitted by reader Aaron from Milwaukee, this one is not a crater so much as a lunar landscape bereft of human life forms.

The area is between Milwaukee's Third Ward -- a rather hip area -- and the lakefront. Aaron tells us they occasionally hold summer festivals on part of this lot -- so a few times a year, at least, this place has people in it. One thing's for sure, though: parking lots so close to the waterfront are even sadder then regular parking lots.

Here's a wider view where you can see the parking/freeway complex divide the Third Ward from the lake:

false

Now, let's look at Columbia, South Carolina, which beat out Minneapolis in a squeaker in the first round:

false

This whole scene is adjacent to the South Carolina Statehouse, whose grounds you can see in the right bottom corner.

The most remarkable thing about this photo, in my opinion, is the almost total lack of cars.

Here's a wider view:

false

So, the only remaining question is, which one of these spaces deserves to be shamed in the Final Four?

[poll id="40"]

false

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

FDNY To Drivers: Please Stop Parking At Hydrants

Parking scofflaws turn a fire fatal. The public could help, if the Council would pass a bill creating citizen enforcement.

February 11, 2025

Who Benefits from Trump ‘Birthrate’ Funding Scheme? Wealthier, Whiter Drivers

This prioritization lacks evidence of how it will meet the memo’s stated purpose to “bolster the American economy and benefit the American people.”

February 11, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines: L’Etat C’est Lui Edition

Our top story: President Trump moved to dismiss the corruption case against Mayor Adams. Plus other news.

February 11, 2025

Trump Can’t Legally Kill Congestion Pricing, But When Has That Ever Stopped Him?

New York's leaders can't take Donald Trump's threats to congestion pricing, and the constitutional order, lying down — but they might anyway.

February 11, 2025

Monday’s Headlines: Old Florida Man Shakes His Fist Edition

The so-called Leader of the Free World said he hated bike lanes. Plus other news in today's headlines.

February 10, 2025
See all posts