Beware of overnight parking during city events

Author: Christina Lusby
Published:

FORT MYERS, Fla.- A resident is warning others to beware of where you park during downtown events.

Steve Simpson was heading to the downtown Fort Myers celebration on New Year’s Eve and was directed to park in a lot off Carson Street, a short distance from the US 41 bridge and Main Street.

Simpson’s decision to park in the lot ended up costing him a total of $160. When he went to pick up his car, it was no longer there.

“They had the night time vests on that were reflective and each were holding flash lights. There were several along the road on west 1st, directing people into the area,” said Simpson.

Simpson paid $10 to park in the lot. The pass said it expired at midnight New Year’s Eve, but Simpson asked if his truck could stay overnight.

“I did feel comfortable parking here because I asked them twice if I could leave my car here overnight and each said yes.”

He left his truck and it was the last time he saw it parked in the lot.

“It’s not going to be a good start to the year! It’s just regretful and I knew automatically what had happened.”

He called ABS Towing and paid $150 to get his car back.

The company says it has a contract with the lot owner and conducts sweeps. Three cars were towed from the same lot.

WINK News reached out to the city and event organizers. They say they only rent garage spots during events.

The redevelopment agency says the parking lot on Carson Street is private property. According to the city, private lots make their own rules.

WINK News called the Meta Group who rents out most of the spaces but has not heard back.

“Pretty upset but more importantly I wanted the public to know if they come downtown to an event, and they choose to park in an event parking area, that they can’t leave it there all night even though they are told they can,” said Simpson.

He says he thought the parking lot was run by event organizers.

Meanwhile, organizers warn drivers to ask the lots if they are public or private
and park at your discretion.

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