Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Milwaukee

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:

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:

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

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:

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

[poll id="40"]

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Friday Video: Exactly Why the Cybertruck Sucks

Unwind and let yourself hate on Elon Musk a little.

December 5, 2025

Friday’s Headlines Are Cooking With Gas

Fuel economy is the latest victim of President Trump's efforts to unravel the Biden administration's legacy.

December 5, 2025

Talking Headways Podcast: The (Parking) Reformation

Tony Jordan, president of the Parking Reform Network, discusses getting rid of our cars, parking policy, and Donald Shoup’s legacy.

December 4, 2025

This Holiday Season, Buy Your Kid a Bike With Your Pre-Tax Healthcare Money

Got an FSA account that's about to expire, or an HSA fund gathering dust? Now is a great time to invest in your child's health by getting them a bike — with a little help from your fellow taxpayers.

December 4, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines Knock Down a Straw Man

Lack of regulations are the reason cars are so big, heavy, expensive and dangerous, not the regulations themselves.

December 4, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines Take the Wheel

If Jesus won't take it, maybe AI will.

December 3, 2025
See all posts