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

It’s Rochester vs. Jacksonville in the Parking Madness Championship!

parking_madness_2014_14

Forget Huskies vs. Wildcats -- today is all about parking crater vs. parking crater.

Through 14 matches pitting some of the most hideous parking expanses in the world against each other, two cities are still standing: Rochester and Jacksonville.

These are the worst of the worst downtown asphalt scars. But only one city can claim the Golden Crater, and the teachable moment that comes with it. Now it's up to Streetsblog readers to choose this year's champion.

Let's look at Rochester first:

rochester

Much of the blame for this sad place belongs to Rochester's Inner Loop freeway, a 1960s mistake that cut off central neighborhoods from downtown. Some of Rochester's leadership recognizes the problem: The city recently received funds to fill in a portion of the below-grade highway, which will help heal some of its scars. But the part of town with this parking crater isn't in line for highway repair, at least not yet.

For some historical context, submitter Matthew Denker points out that before the Inner Loop came to town, this part of the city used to be Rochester's central square, a real public gathering place. Here's what the map used to look like. (For reference, locate the area in both maps labeled "Franklin Square.")

old-rochester

So that's Rochester's parking crater.

Now, let's look at Jacksonville:

jacksonville1

Drab. Dead. Ugly. Pretty much any adjective that is synonymous with "lifeless" works for this part of Jacksonville. This one is one of those extra-terrible waterfront parking craters. Carved up by so many freeways, could this ever become a walkable city environment, or is it destined for eternal crater-tude?

So who deserves the 2014 Golden Crater? Vote carefully below.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Friday Video: Are We All Living in a ‘Carspiracy’?

How does "car-brain" shape the way we think about the world — even in relatively bike-friendly countries like the U.K.?

July 26, 2024

Friday’s Headlines Share and Share Alike

Bikeshares, and e-bikes and scooters generally, are becoming more popular. That's led to more injuries, highlighting the need for better infrastructure.

July 26, 2024

What the Heck is Going on With the California E-Bike Incentive Program?

The program's launch has been delayed for two years, and currently "there is no specific timeline" for it. Plus the administrator, Pedal Ahead, is getting dragged, but details are vague.

July 26, 2024

Talking Headways Podcast: Have Cities Run Out of Land?

Chris Redfearn of USC and Anthony Orlando of Cal Poly Pomona on why "pro-business" Texas housing markets are catching up to "pro-regulation" California and what it might mean for future city growth.

July 25, 2024

The Paris Plan for Olympic Traffic? Build More Bike Lanes

A push to make Paris fully bikable for the Olympics is already paying dividends long before the opening ceremonies.

July 25, 2024
See all posts