Most of us know where we can usually find a quick space to park in SOHO, well my location has been pretty reliable for years. The tucked away parking lot behind the Dubliner usually had a space to be found. So, on Friday night, I was really surprised to duck through the T.C Choy driveway off of Platt and hit the backyard lot at about 8 pm and to my surprise, there were plenty of parking spaces. What a great thing !

But not so fast, before I could walk two paces a very rude young lady asked me "what did I think I was doing ?" Since I have parked at the same place for years, I really didn't respond very quickly to her intimidating voice. "It costs $10 to park here, didn't you see the sign?" she said. "What Sign ?" I said. I turned off of Platt. I was promptly informed that 717 Parking was now in charge of all the parking behind the 300 Block of Howard (and the Dubliner). Angrily annoyed, I got in the car and drove to another location. (I noticed on Gasparilla Invasion day the price had increased to $20)

It seems that only one of the tenants of the block had any idea that such a plan was afoot. It is still unclear as to whether building owner Frank Kane or Whiskey SOHO owner Tommy Ortiz were the ones responsible for this not so neighborly decision. Several of the building's store owners told me that at 4:30 someone came by their location and said anyone parked there had to move by 5 or run the risk of being towed. That means that they have virtually no parking available to continue to operate their businesses other than on-street parking. The same parking spaces they have been able to count on for years.

With the recent request for Wet Zoning having been withdrawn while a new plan is submitted, we had to wonder if this parking change was designed to encourage the current tenants like SOHOSushi, Raydiance, Sangrias, and others to relocate in order to facilitate a possible long term dream of a mega club ? The request for Wet Zoning has been met with a lot of resistance with the key issue of lack of parking being the main obstacle.

After the deal with Tommy Ortiz to purchase a significant share of Strings and Rings, rumors have swirled about his possible involvement in the new 302 SOHO club (formerly occupied by Po'Boys) and a possible lease or purchase of the mortgage offices at Platt and Howard. So far that does not seem to be true. But as the SOHO Parking War of 2007 begins, anything might be possible.

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