3 Detroit Parking Lots Accused Of Charging $1K For Spot During Lions Game: Report

DETROIT — Three downtown Detroit parking lots were forced to shut down Friday morning after officials accused them of price gouging for a parking spot during Saturday's Detroit Lions playoff game at Ford Field, according to multiple news reports.

Officials said Park Rite, who operates the three lots located at 1468 Randolph, 401 Gratiot and 461 Gratiot, were charging fans between $900-$1,000 per parking spot on SpotHero, which is an online platform that allows people to reserve a parking spot ahead of time, according to news reports.

Other parking spots in the downtown area for Saturday night's playoff game on SpotHero were going for $50-$150.

It's not unusual for Detroit parking prices to jump when there are big events happening in downtown. But the $1,000 officials said the three Park Rite lots were charging is significantly higher than similar events.

For example, parking prices for the Detroit Tigers playoff games last year ranged from $50-$80 ahead of the games.

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The owner of the lots was expected to appear in court Friday morning when a Wayne County judge will determine if the lots should stay closed and whether the operators are guilty of illegally overcharging for services, according to news reports.

The owner can face a $500 fine and/or up to 90 days in jail, if found guilty.