Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Contests

Parking Madness “Elite Eight”: Kansas City vs. Grand Rapids

1:30 PM EDT on April 1, 2014

One more round, and we'll be down to the worst-of-the-worst parking craters in the Parking Madness bracket, our annual search for the worst excesses in urban surface parking.

Parking overkill has certainly done a lot of damage to both of today's competitors -- Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Kansas City. We need you to help us decide which city will join Jacksonville in the Final Four and get a shot at the Golden Crater.

First up, Kansas City. It's rough just to look at this disaster:

kansascity3

This area is just one of a number of desolate Kansas City parking landscapes that readers nominated for the competition. Imagine walking from one end of this asphalt zone to the other. Someone in Kansas City should do it and tell us what it's like.

Moving on. Here's the competition in Grand Rapids:

grandrapids

Ah, nothing stirs the soul like waterfront surface parking. This spot bears a couple of hallmarks of the classic American parking crater: proximity to an urban highway and to a nearby sports arena -- in this case, Van Andel Arena, home of the Grand Rapids Griffins minor league hockey franchise. Looks like the highway/arena combo has really done a number on this part of downtown.

Only the most obscene parking monstrosities deserve a spot in the Final Four of parking craters, however, so let us know which one you think is worse.

parking_madness_2014_9

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

To Help Save the Planet, Take the ‘Week Without Driving’ Challenge

Former Sierra Club President Ramón Cruz is urging Americans to give up driving for seven days — and support policies to make it optional for everyone.

September 29, 2023

Labor Gains: NYC Judge Tosses App Giants’ Suit to Stop Deliverista Minimum Wage

Justice Nicholas Moyne cleared the way for a long-delayed wage hike for workers who brave dangerous roads to bring food directly to New Yorkers.

September 29, 2023

Friday’s Headlines Are Charged Up

Expect a lot fewer ordinary gas stations and a few more Buc-ee's in your area as the electric vehicle transition continues.

September 29, 2023

Commentary: Let’s Talk About the Real “Fatal Flaw” on Valencia

How many people have to die before professional advocates stop endorsing the Valencia Street "experiment" on people?

September 28, 2023

Talking Headways Podcast: Beyond Greenways

This week we’re joined by Bob Searns to talk about his new book and grand ideas for walking trails that circle whole regions and more local routes that make up a new mode of green infrastructure in cities.

September 28, 2023
See all posts