In a dramatic turn of events, three downtown parking lots in Detroit were temporarily shut down by city officials on Friday for allegedly attempting to charge outrageous fees of $999 per parking space during the much-anticipated Detroit Lions playoff game against the Washington Commanders scheduled for Saturday night at Ford Field. However, a Wayne County Circuit Court judge intervened and ordered the immediate reopening of the lots.

The Detroit police swooped in early Friday morning, marking the lots located at 1468 Randolph, 401 Gratiot, and 461 Gratiot with yellow stickers to announce the suspension of the operators' licenses. This action came after city officials discovered that the parking lot operators, Park Rite, were charging well above the rates they had previously submitted—which ranged from $10 to $100 per space—according to David Bell, director of Detroit’s Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department.

By just 10 a.m. on the same day, the situation escalated as the lot at 401 Gratiot began advertising space for $140, while the lot at 461 Gratiot was asking an eye-watering $150 for reservations at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Comparatively, nearby non-Park Rite locations offered rates below $100, making the sudden price hikes particularly glaring.

Detroit’s parking market peaks during major events, and closer proximity to Ford Field naturally commands higher prices. For instance, Z Deck Garage at 164 E. Grand River Ave. charged $80 plus a service fee, while SP+Parking at 400 Macomb listed prices at around $63.45.

The situation took an unexpected legal twist during a Friday hearing where Judge David J. Allen emphasized the importance of allowing fans to park conveniently for the game. "It’s no secret, the elephant in the room is tomorrow is a big day in town — go Lions," he remarked. As the judge lifted the restrictions, he prioritized ensuring that downtown workers and attendees could park without disruption.

The city’s attorney, Jason Harrison, indicated that the city had filed complaints against Park Rite for allegedly violating anti-price gouging laws tied to the Michigan Consumer Protection Act. However, no official decision or ruling was reached during this initial hearing.

Park Rite’s attorney, Michael Vogt, explained that it was a mix-up related to the Spot Hero parking app, where an exaggerated price had mistakenly been listed. He stated that the absurd $999 figure was never intended for public view and that no one had purchased parking at that price point.

Interestingly, this incident isn't Park Rite’s first encounter with price gouging allegations related to Lions games. Vogt noted that a similar case last year was dismissed due to a lack of evidence.

Following the hearing, the judge expressed satisfaction with the outcome, allowing the lots to reopen right away, enabling individuals to park as needed. "Let’s open up charging the rates that are acknowledged," he concluded, emphasizing the importance of the parking availability to local residents and workers.

Despite the judge’s decision, David Bell reiterated the city’s commitment to monitoring parking lot pricing, asserting, "Today, we accomplished what we set out to do, which is to ensure parking lot owners are adhering to approved rates and are not taking advantage of customers."

This unfolding story serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing battle against price gouging in high-demand settings, and it highlights the vigilance of city officials to maintain fairness in public services. Fans and workers alike can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that they’ll have convenient access to parking as they gather to cheer for their beloved Lions.