The NCAA Final Four will usher in tens of thousands of basketball fans into San Antonio this week. While it’s certainly going to be an economic boost for the Alamo City, the neighborhoods around the Alamodome are wary of so many folks filling up their historic streets — concerns supported by experiences from previous, albeit smaller, events near their homes.
When the Alamodome hosts a big event or downtown streets are filled with festival or partygoers, historic neighborhoods to the south and east are bombarded with thrifty attendees looking for a free parking option. While it’s technically allowed on public streets (aside from a few special blocks in the Lavaca neighborhood), it spells some big headaches for residents.
In response, neighborhood leaders are asking tourists or outer-city participants to use public parking garages or VIA Metropolitan park-and-ride services. At the very least, they ask for a bit of respect for their neighborhoods if you’re going to park there. These people live here long after the final buzzer has sounded and the bars call closing time…