$1,000 parking for the Lions game? Police are cracking down on Detroit lots accused of extreme price gouging

DETROIT (WWJ) -- Taking an Uber might not be a bad idea, as it'll cost Lions fans bigtime to park in Downtown Detroit this weekend.

Detroit police say they're cracking down on extreme price gouging ahead of the the Jan. 18 National Football Conference Divisional Playoff game between the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders.

WWJ Newsradio 950's Charlie Langton reports three parking lots downtown were adverting prices of up to $1,000 per space to park before the Saturday night game.

Two of those parking lots on Gratiot Ave., Langton said, and the third one is Paradise Valley on Randolph Street, where Langton found police tape and officers on the scene, Friday morning.

"All of them are owned by Park Right Inc.," Langton reported "The city says that's illegal and slapped a yellow sticker on the parking lots, shutting them down completely."

Dave Bell, director of Detroit's Buildings and Safety Department, said this price for a parking spot is clearly outrageous.

What is the highest amount that anyone should pay for parking on Saturday?

"The highest that I've seen is $100," Bell said. "And that's what that rate is — the rate they (Park Right) submitted to us. But they're online charging people $1,000."

Bell told Langton that $1,000 for a spot is considered price gouging, and that's illegal.

A hearing has been set in court on this matter, Langton said, with documents filed in court in Detroit on Friday.

The company also faces a hefty fine, and up to 90 days in jail possible if a business owner is held responsible on a misdemeanor charge.

Meanwhile, Langton said a judge will determine whether or not these lots will be permitted to reopen in time for Saturday's game.