FROM THE CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG

CONTACT: Joe Kubicki, Director Transportation & Parking, (727) 892-5274

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

City Announces Grand Prix Parking & Transportation Plans

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. (March 31, 2008) - With more than 25,000 parking spaces within a mile of the race track, city officials do not anticipate any major problems with parking and transportation for the upcoming Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, April 4 to April 6. The city has compiled several opportunities for parking and getting to the race:

PARK DOWNTOWN: City transportation officials encourage visitors to park downtown and enjoy the racing ambience in the downtown district. City parking garages will charge a $10 all-day event rate. Garages include South Core (enter from First Ave. S. between Second and First Streets) or the BayWalk Garage (enter from Second St. between Second and First Avenues N.) Private lots, garages and on-street parking will also be available. Observe all posted parking regulations.

PARK & RIDE SHUTTLE AT TROPICANA FIELD: There will be a free shuttle from Tropicana Field parking lots to the race course. Parking at Tropicana Field will be $10. The shuttle will pick passengers up outside the main parking gate at 10th St. and Third Ave. S. and drop passengers at Fourth Ave. S. between Second and Third Streets. There will be a two-block walk to the race entry gate. The shuttle will operate all three race days from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

TAKE THE LOOPER: The Looper Downtown Trolley will offer free service throughout Grand Prix weekend. The Looper provides circular route between the city’s parking facilities, hotels, restaurants and attractions. It operates from 10 a.m. to midnight (Friday and Saturday) and to 10 p.m. on Sunday, after the race. The closest Looper stop to the race course will be at Second St. and Fourth Ave. S.

ENTRY GATES: There will be two entry gates to the race course - all on First St. - at First Ave. S. and Fifth Ave. S. Both gates offer wheelchair access.

DISABLED PARKING: All permanent on-street accessible spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge. An additional section of metered parking spaces on Central Avenue between First St. and Second St. will be temporarily reserved as free parking spaces for those with valid Disabled Person Parking Permit Placards and available on a first-come, first-served basis Saturday and Sunday only. City garages, the USF garage and Tropicana Field provide accessible parking at the prevailing rate. The USF garage is recommended for those with limited mobility wishing to enter the 5th Ave. S. gate and the SouthCore garage is recommended for those wishing to enter the 1st Ave. S. gate. The Looper is wheelchair accessible and the Tropicana shuttle includes dedicated wheelchair accessible vans.

MOTORCYCLE PARKING: Special motorcycle parking will be available at one of the USF parking lots (enter from 2nd Street and 6th Avenue south). Spaces are available on a first-come, first served basis for $10. Motorcycle, moped and bicycle parking are also available at our regular parking areas on First Ave. N. between First and Second Streets and on Second St. S. between Central and First Ave. S.

ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION: Bicycle racks will be available outside each entry gate. There will be taxi stands established on Third St. S. between Third and Fourth Avenues S.

Throughout race weekend, Albert Whitted Airport will remain open. Limited access to the airport, USF St. Petersburg, the Coast Guard Station and Port of St. Petersburg will be available via Sixth Ave. S. Limited access will be available to Demens Landing. The boat ramp will be closed.

Race weekend only - road closures will include the east bound traffic lane of Sixth Ave. S. just east of Second St. to First St. There will be limited access on First St. S. from Fifth Ave. S. to Eighth Ave. S. The Grand Prix race track will be closed to traffic beginning Thursday, April 3 at noon.

Central Ave. from Second to Third Street will be closed on Friday, April 4 from noon until approximately midnight for a special “Fast Friday” Get Down Town block party. The Saturday Morning Market, which traditionally closes Central Ave., will not be held Grand Prix weekend.

To review a downtown parking and transportation map, additional Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg information or a list of other events in St. Petersburg throughout the weekend, visit www.stpete.org/grandprix.
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