Many people who attended a motivational seminar in downtown Fort Worth got frustrated instead – with traffic gridlock and parking problems.
The seminar, with big-name speakers like former President George W. Bush, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, and Terry Bradshaw, attracted about 18,000 people. Many of them descended on downtown at about the same time.
“It was just traffic, bumper to bumper, everywhere,” said attendee Janie Bocero. ”Every parking lot was full. It was hard to find a space.”
Traffic delays of up to two hours were reported.
“If you weren’t here about 7 o’clock, you didn’t get a parking spot,” said Donna Veale, another attendee.
Tow trucks kept busy, towing cars that were illegally parked.
“I love Fort Worth,” Veale said. “It’s a wonderful town. (But) to take advantage of the convention center, they’re going to need to have adequate parking so people can come down here and enjoy things without spending an hour-and-a-half trying to find a parking spot.”
A spokeswoman for the convention center, Diane Covey, said the event didn't cause any more disruptions than a concert or similar event that draws a large crowd.
She said the recent opening of a parking garage at the nearby Omni Hotel has relieved some of the congestion from years past.
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