BOK Center Parking Worries Put To Rest

By Jeffrey Smith, News On 6

TULSA, OK -- With 20,000 people flooding downtown, was there enough parking for everybody?

The city has always maintained that when people come downtown for events, they stuff three-and-a-half people in every car. So despite what the raw numbers suggest, parking won't be an issue. That theory was put to the test on Saturday night and fans and cops say it passed with flying colors.

They started showing up six hours before show time.

Kevin Bolte is from Kansas, won his tickets in a contest in Joplin, and showed up early to Tulsa.

"Nothin' better to do today, get here early, hang out have some fun," said Bolte.

The Severt family wanted to check out the city.

"We always try to come early and just walk around, and do things, and get a feel for the city," said Midwest City resident Joyce Severt.

As the lines got longer, parking started to get tight.

An hour before the doors opened, the surface lots across the street were filled up. A big question was the availability of handicap parking.

"Our other lot on 3rd, the big one, where the parking arcade is, which is another close one, they've got all the handicap down there," said Dwight Edwards.

But some fans say those spots at big garages are too far away and they want some improvements in the future.

Plenty of cops were there to keep the peace.

"We have had no problems, it's been really smooth. And everybody seems to be enjoying themselves," said TPD Officer Scott Dean.

It was empty if you were four hours early, it was easy if you were one hour early. Fans say the downtown parking question can now be put to rest.