Archive for Tuesday, August 26, 2008
KU, city team up for free game-day parking, shuttle
KU football fans can catch a free ride to this weekend's season opener, thanks to the city of Lawrence.
August 26, 2008
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Roger Bartels, who works for the Kansas University Athletics Department, sweeps the floors of Memorial Stadium on Tuesday in preparation for this Saturday's football game, when the Jayhawks will play Florida International University.
KU football fans looking to avoid confusion with on-campus parking lots, on-the-hill construction and any remaining road detours can turn to a new option for game-day parking beginning Saturday.
Park and ride, for free, from downtown Lawrence.
"Parking in neighborhoods is always a concern on football game days," said David Corliss, Lawrence city manager. "We get a number of neighborhood complaints. This will give a number of football fans an alternative to parking in the neighborhoods.
"Just as importantly, it will get more people into our downtown, eating and celebrating in our downtown area."
Free shuttle buses will travel to and from the city's two downtown parking garages to Memorial Stadium, where the Kansas Jayhawks open their season against Florida International at 6 p.m. Saturday. Buses are scheduled to start operations at 4 p.m. and will continue for an hour after the game.
There will be two pickup and drop-off points downtown:
¢ Just north of the Lawrence Arts Center, along the eastern side of New Hampshire Street and just south of Ninth Street.
¢ At the cutout in front of the Riverfront parking garage, at Sixth and New Hampshire streets.
Parking will be free in the garage in the 900 block of New Hampshire Street, which has about 400 spaces; and the lower level and ramp of the Riverfront parking garage, where about 250 spaces are available.
Tailgating will be allowed in the garages, with three conditions, Corliss said: No grills, no alcoholic beverages and, of course, no trash left behind.
Anyone looking to get to the game also can pay to park in other downtown lots, or simply walk into the downtown area and catch a ride on a shuttle bus. The service is being operated for the season by KU, using a total of $13,000 from two city financing sources: the city's parking fund and guest-tax revenues paid by people staying overnight in Lawrence hotels.
"We think this is a good investment," Corliss said. "We think this will get more people downtown, and the businesses will enjoy that. Hopefully we will enjoy that, in our sales tax revenue.
"We do see athletic events as an important driver for the local economy."
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26 August 2008
at 12:04 p.m.
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LTownBaby (Anonymous) says…
What kind of tailgating can you do without grills or alcoholic beverages?
26 August 2008
at 12:17 p.m.
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penguin (Anonymous) says…
this is great! I was planning just to walk to Memorial Stadium, but now I will happily ride the bus.
26 August 2008
at 12:24 p.m.
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Raider (Anonymous) says…
WHY would you start the busses only two hours before gametime? I think the free shuttle bus is a great idea, but two hours before is a little late in the day for anyone who wants to go out there and tailgate.
27 August 2008
at 2:12 a.m.
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mike_blur (Mike Blur) says…
Jeez Raider, the city is offering a FREE service to ease traffic confusion and congestion, and you feel compelled to whine and complain about it??? Jeez.If you don't like it, you can take the freaking T six freaking hours before game time. It only costs a buck and drops you off 2 blocks away.Sheesh. You must be a real blast to hang out with. Yeah, right.
27 August 2008
at 7:06 a.m.
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chargdup (Anonymous) says…
Oh Mike, it's part for the course around here. Everybody has to gripe and moan about the school district and the city. I think it's mandatory if you want to post on here.
27 August 2008
at 7:35 a.m.
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zissou (Anonymous) says…
The photo gave me the impression that the free transportation service was by way of a zamboni.
27 August 2008
at 8:19 a.m.
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Raider (Anonymous) says…
Mike, apparently you just don't get it. If you read my post, I said that I think the idea is good. (not whining about it). I just questioned why they would wait and start this two hours before, when most people want to be up there a lot earlier than that. Infer what you want. I really couldn't care less.
27 August 2008
at 9:14 a.m.
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Godot (Anonymous) says…
Most cities take advantage of the revenue tourism can generate by actually charging for parking and shuttles. Not Lawrence. Watch the T proponents pump up the numbers of bus users by adding the free rides for football games.
27 August 2008
at 12:50 p.m.
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dulcinea47 (Anonymous) says…
I wish they would provide me with a free shuttle out of town on game days. Too bad if you live here and happen to want to go downtown!
27 August 2008
at 2:19 p.m.
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ralphralph (Anonymous) says…
There is no free shuttle.The funds are being taken from some other worthy purpose, and diverted to the KU sports programs.Lew has lots of ca$h to provide this bus ride, and ought to be made to pay for it.
27 August 2008
at 2:33 p.m.
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Meatwad (Anonymous) says…
Zissou—LOL!Hey do you think people realize that it takes about 10-11 minutes to actually WALK from downtown (9th and Mass) to the stadium? Really. Check it out for yourselves.People who think they HAVE to park in the blocks around the stadium are just lazy. 10-11 minutes is nothing, and you can likely park closer than downtown if you look between Mass St. and say, Ohio St..