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2006 Grand Prix

Get up to speed on closings, parking

Saturday Morning Market will take the day off during this weekend's Grand Prix races and the Looper will give free trolley rides downtown.

By JON WILSON
Published March 29, 2006

ST. PETERSBURG - Thousands of fans will flood downtown this weekend for the Honda Grand Prix, and while most streets not on the actual race course remain open, a few will close or be limited in access.

But no major traffic snarls are anticipated, officials say.

"I think in our experience last year, we had a little bit of confusion with the Friday race and the Friday (evening business traffic)," said Sgt. Charlie Burnette, special events coordinator for the Police Department.

Motorists will encounter closings during the weekend south of First Avenue S, and east of Second Street S, city officials say.

Central Avenue will be closed between Second and Third streets from noon to midnight Friday for a block party.

Meanwhile, the popular Saturday Morning Market on Central will not be held Saturday. It will return next week to its usual spot between First and Second streets.

Albert Whitted Airport will remain open. Limited access to the airport, USF St. Petersburg, the Coast Guard Station and the Port of St. Petersburg will be available via Sixth Avenue S.

Demens Landing, including the public boat ramp, is closed to the public from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Thursday to Sunday.

Credential access will be available during periods of race day closure to marina residents, ship store patrons and Yacht Club sailing center visitors.

More than 25,000 parking spots are within a mile of the waterfront course, according to city figures.

City parking garages will charge a $10 all-day event rate. Garages include South Core (enter from First Avenue S between Second and First streets) or the BayWalk Garage (enter from Second Street between Second and First avenues N.)

Private lots, garages and on-street parking will also be available.

The Looper Downtown Trolley will provide free service through the weekend.

It will run between city parking facilities, hotels 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 stops to the race course will be at Third Street and Fourth Avenue S.

There also will be a free shuttle from Tropicana Field parking lots to the race course. Parking at Tropicana Field will cost $10.

The shuttle will pick up passengers outside the main parking gate at 10th Street and Third Avenue S and drop passengers at Fourth Avenue S and Third Street. From there, it is a two-block walk to the race entry gate.

The shuttle will operate Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

There will be disabled parking spaces at all city garages. The Looper and some shuttle buses are wheelchair accessible.

There will be three race course entry gates, all on First Street S - at First, Fourth and Fifth avenues.

Bike racks will be available outside each entry gate. Taxi stands will be set up on Fourth Avenue S between Second and Third streets, and on First Avenue S between First and Second streets.

[Last modified March 29, 2006, 01:23:20]