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

It's an intra-Missouri battle today in the fourth match-up of Parking Madness, Streetsblog's annual hunt for the worst parking craters in North America.

Which rival will advance to the round of eight -- and a chance at the coveted "Golden Crater" -- Kansas City or St. Louis?

First up, the city they call KCMO:

kansascity3
false

The red outlines denote Kansas City's moonscape of parking craters. Submitter Emily Katherine says it's even worse: Many of the buildings between surface parking lots are parking garages. Which begs the question, where on earth are all these car owners headed? From the looks of things there just aren't that many places left to go.

Onward to St. Louis:

stlouis
false

Alex Ihnen at NextSTL sends us this beauty. He notes that this is a publicly subsidized parking crater -- as God and nature intended -- which is "bookended by two parking garages." This is the area St. Louis calls Ballpark Village, and it was supposed to be the site of a mixed-use development not long ago. Now the developer says the market won't bear it and all taxpayers have to show for their investment is this embarrassment, jokingly dubbed "Carpark Village."

parking_madness_2014_4
false

Which is worse, readers? Collect yourselves and weigh in below.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

BREAKING: Brooklyn Judge Dismisses Court St. Bike Lane Lawsuit

Justice Inga O'Neale dismissed the lawsuit by the Court Street Merchants Association.

January 12, 2026

‘It’s About Execution’: Mamdani Deputy Mayor Slams Adams for ‘Interference’ With Bus Projects

The Mamdani administration revived a Madison Avenue bus lane project that officials said was stalled by the previous mayor's team.

January 12, 2026

Parking-Obsesssed West Side Community Board Snubs Ask For Loading Zone

Parking continues to reign supreme on the Upper West Side.

January 12, 2026

Unlicensed Drivers Comprise One-Quarter Of Street Fatalities: Data

Unlicensed drivers are now responsible for one-quarter of road fatalities — and are linked to fatal crashes much more often now than pre-pandemic, a new Streetsblog analysis shows.

January 12, 2026

Monday’s Headlines: Red Means Stop Edition

We're getting more red light cameras! Plus other news.

January 12, 2026

Friday’s Headlines: From Hero to Zero Edition

Mayor Mamdani's sympathy for cyclists over the Williamsburg Bridge has yet to trickle down to his NYPD. Plus more news.

January 9, 2026
See all posts