Downtown parking will be tested with Blue Jackets, USMNT both playing Thursday in Columbus
Downtown parking could be an interesting proposition Thursday night as the city will see two major sporting events — the U.S. Men's National Team World Cup qualifier against El Salvador and the Columbus Blue Jackets home game against the New York Rangers.
Marc Conte, acting executive director of Capital Crossroads & Discovery Special Improvement Districts said there are almost 1,900 parking spaces in nine lots and garages within a half-mile radius of the new stadium and another half-mile out adds another 3,250 spaces in six facilities, including the 1,496-car McConnell Garage adjacent to Nationwide Arena.
If you park a mile and a half walk away, there are 19,500 more parking spaces at 37 locations, including a large 3,150-car Nationwide Garage at 285 N. Front St.
Can you take COTA to the game?
The Columbus Crew has said there are two COTA stops with a 10-minute walk to Lower.com Field, Stop No. 5914 at Neil Avenue and Brodbelt Lane and No. 7083 at Nationwide and McConnell boulevards.
But those attending the Columbus Blue Jackets game will be using similar parking spots.
"It'll be a lot of work, but I'm looking forward to the day we have all three venues filled," said Columbus police Lt. Marc Dopp last summer. He said police will have a visible presence both inside and outside Lower.com Field for security and to help keep traffic flowing, with about 25 officers assigned. "The majority of the parking is going to be in the garages near Nationwide Arena. We're going to ask for fans to be patient. There's only so much parking we can accommodate in the area.
Who does USMNT play after El Salvador?
The team will next play a pivotal matchup against CONCACAF leader Canada in Ontario on Jan. 30 before facing Honduras on Feb. 2 in St. Paul, Minnesota.
USMNT qualifying roster
(caps/goals as of Jan. 25)
Goalkeepers (4): Sean Johnson (New York City FC; 9/0), Gabriel Slonina (Chicago Fire; 0/0), Zack Steffen (Manchester City/ENG; 26/0), Matt Turner (New England Revolution; 13/0)
Defenders (9): Reggie Cannon (Boavista/POR; 22/1), Sergino Dest (Barcelona/ESP; 15/2), Brooks Lennon (Atlanta United; 1/0), Mark McKenzie (Genk/BEL; 8/0), Chris Richards (Hoffenheim/GER; 6/0), Antonee Robinson (Fulham/ENG; 15/3), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United; 15/3), DeAndre Yedlin (Galatasaray/TUR; 71/0), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; 23/2)
Midfielders (7): Kellyn Acosta (LAFC; 45/2), Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig/GER; 22/1), Luca de la Torre (Heracles/NED; 4/0), Sebastian Lletget (New England Revolution; 33/8), Weston McKennie (Juventus/ITA; 28/8), Yunus Musah (Valencia/ESP; 11/0), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders; 30/0)
Forwards (8): Brenden Aaronson (Red Bull Salzburg/AUT; 15/5), Paul Arriola (D.C. United; 42/8), Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas; 5/2), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders; 40/10), Ricardo Pepi (Augsburg/GER; 7/3), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea/ENG; 42/17), Tim Weah (Lille/FRA; 18/2), Gyasi Zardes (Columbus Crew; 66/14)
Columbus Dispatch reporters Bill Bush, Tim Carlin, Bethany Bruner and Jacob Myers contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus parking faces test with Blue Jackets, USMNT games
