A public street with private parking fooled a van driver who had his vehicle towed just southwest of the Qwest Center in downtown Omaha.
Though most spots are marked reserved, three are not stenciled including the space Joe Pittman parked at New Year’s Day.
Joe Pittman said, “It’s not marked, it doesn’t say reserved parking. I was parked here and the sign is way down there.”
A permit parking only sign stands several spaces away and one no parking sign is posted on a wall for a parking garage. Joe said, “It confused me and will confuse people.”
Bam’s Towing towed Joe’s van and charged him $230 to get it back. Omaha city prosecutor will investigate if the tow followed city ordinance for marked warning signs.
Marty Conboy said the street is so close to the Qwest Center that markings need to be clear. Conboy said, “In that area where people come and go to events or don’t park downtown frequently the assumption could be it’s a street and parking is unregulated.”
Contacted by Six On Your Side the manager of Bam’s Towing Brenda Duncan said warning signs on posts have been stolen along that restricted parking area of 11th street.
She said more signs will be added to make it clear where drivers can’t park or risk being towed.
Duncan told Six On Your Side she’ll talk to Joe Pittman about a refund of his $230 tow fee.
