Because of renewed interest in The University of Memphis men’s basketball team, parking spaces at the Pyramid in general — and those reserved for disabled fans in particular — have become coveted items.
By law, the Pyramid is required to provide 59 disabled parking spaces. Currently, the Pyramid provides 104 disabled parking spaces. Because of an agreed-upon court order with the Paralyzed Veterans of America, 30 of the 104 spaces are reserved for season ticket holders who require wheelchairs. These customers must present a special pass from The University in addition to the state-issued tags or placards. Even if the 74 first-come-first-serve seats are filled and the 30 reserved spots are not, those 30 spaces must remain reserved for wheelchair-bound season ticket holders.
The remaining 74 spaces are available on a first come, first serve basis. U of M Associate Athletic Director Kevin Grothe compared the situation to what happens if a disabled person is unable to find a space at the local grocery store — in other words, he or she must find another space.
In the past, if disabled parking was full, patrons could be dropped off at the disabled entrance and the driver could park in overflow parking, but because every parking space is reserved for a season ticket holder, that option is no longer available.
“The University sold every non-handicapped space to season ticket holders,” said Mike Krewson, Pyramid event manager, whose father requires a wheelchair. “Every space has been paid for by someone.”
Groethe said The University is looking at a way to develop a shuttle service that would pick up disabled patrons at the toll booths located at the entrance of the south parking lot, and bring them to the handicapped ramp. After the game, vehicles would be allowed into the south parking lot to pick up disabled patrons.
Groethe and Krewson said disabled patrons who cannot find parking in the assigned section can enter from the Front Street entrance.
Tommy Towery, a computer support specialist for The University, attended Tuesday’s pre-season game with his mother. Once there, a Pyramid staff member refused to let him drive his mother to the handicapped entrance and then threatened to call the police and have him arrested for trespassing. After that, he was told by the Memphis Police Department that he could not pull up to the curb side on Front Street to drop his mother off. Towery was forced to take his 79-year-old, season ticket-holding mother home.
“They were not supposed to be turned away,” said Bobby Todd, Traffic Division inspector. Todd said disabled patrons can be dropped off on Front Street in front of the Pyramid and said anyone refused entry by a police officer should ask that officer to call his or her supervisor.
Krewson said no one wants to be “hard-nosed” and he will speak with U of M and MPD officials to come to a “better working solution.”
“Although we are fully compliant with the law, we wish there were enough parking spaces for everyone at all times,” Groethe said in a memo. “Because of the inherent limitations of the building, the situation is not ideal, but we will continue to do everything possible to make it workable.”
Krewson said the situation occurred in the past when big-time rivals came to town and the games were sold out. Krewson reiterated that every game this season is sold out and that the problems will become “even more of an issue when it gets into the regular season.”
