The Tigers and Lions have worked out a deal to "share
parking spaces and revenues for their future side-by-side
downtown stadiums," according to Patricia Montemurri of the
DETROIT FREE PRESS. The deal will enable Lions fans to use
the Fox Theatre parking structure, which is controlled by
Tigers Owner Mike Ilitch, with parking fees going to the
Lions. In addition, a northwest chunk of downtown Detroit
"can be open to other development, now that the teams aren't
targeting that area for one big parking lot." The two teams
"had quarreled" over how much downtown land should be used
for parking, but in the new deal, the Tigers will buy 12
vacant parcels and the city-owned GAR building for $1.6M.
The team will then "landscape" parking lots of 1,000-1,200
spaces on the parcels, to be managed by Ilitch-owned Olympia
Entertainment. The GAR building will be renovated for
commercial use. The Tigers will control the lots, except on
football game days and "other Lions stadium events," when
the Lions will get "all parking revenues." All told, the
teams will have control of "about" 5,500 spaces for game
days (Patricia Montemurri, DETROIT FREE PRESS, 4/28).
