MIAMI NOTES

Some fans crossing fingers on future parking proximity

By MIKE SMITH
If LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION is sensible advice for "brick and mortar' success in the business world, PARKING, PARKING, PARKING can't be far behind. 

With a new basketball arena project moving into a more serious planning stage, there are quite a few RedHawk fans hoping planners give appropriate weight to parking issues. 

Early signs point to an effort to select a location encouraging student attendance. Players and coaches -- past and present -- have expressed how much they value students in creating a great game day atmosphere. 

They also appreciate non-students, who are . . .

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. . . often a significant part of attendees -- particularly when students are gone on winter break. Some percentage of the non-students have their own mobility issues. Even aside from handicap issues, a 200- or 300-yard walk is a lot different for more "mature" legs than young ones, especially on cold winter days/nights. 

Of course, many of the "mature" brains can remember times when Miami enjoyed more success and Millett was packed -- including the upper sections. However, quite a few of those larger crowds came before more than half of the available parking spots adjacent to Millett were taken up by student vehicles.

Fortunately, MU is enjoying solid seasons on the court. That should help attendance. Last Saturday's One Miami and Alumni Day crowd was impressive. It included students and non-students. That is part of the formula for success in any college arena. Both groups are needed, and facilitating their attendance will yield dividends. 

A large crowd files into Millett Hall prior to last Saturday's men's basketball game against Ohio. (KRSmith/MRO)

The recent survey participation request also noted a new facility will be a multifunctional unit. All the more reason to value parking proximity. 

Football has incorporated some fan transport vehicles for what is typically five home games per season. Depending on the location, perhaps this could help with a new hoops facility. It is still very early in the process, but when you look at location, you have to consider parking.