I always paid for my parking so I knew i had one once I got there, and its pretty close to the building. Never had to deal with anything there always minded my business, took my 10 and got on moving cmon.
I've parked in the worst area of Philadelphia and been fine. You guys are jumping at shadows. I walked through West Allegheny at 10:00 p.m..
Baltimore, and Philly never scared me either. It was Detroit that kinda raised the hair on the back of my neck the first time lol. Could have been the sign on the receiver saying keep your back doors locked at all times before unloading LOL.. Brownsville, TX was sketchy too. Nothing like thinking someone coming over the boarder might hop on, hide around, or try to #### with you while escaping mexico...
I think there is supposed to be a decent one within walking distance. But I don’t really do bars so it’s all second hand knowledge
After they started charging to park ppl would park on the side streets. Man I have seen some wild stuff in Jessup from 04-07. But I think even the side streets are quite now. Legend has it some lizards were running from the cops. And hid under a guy trailer with skirts. Well he started pulling off not knowing anyone was under there. He ran over a lizard and killed her. And every since then that area was cleaned up from what it was. Haven't did a 10 there in years. But the main thing I hated about the way it worked after the change. If you park in the scale parking area (between shop and main building). The cop in the unmarked car turns on there sirens and spot light to wake everyone up in at 7am if you don't move then they beat on doors. Now this is crazy because if you just parked at 0500 your looking to sleep in peace. So I just would go to my friend from high school condo around the corner and crash.
It's kinda dirty but there are worse places to park out there...I didn't feel unsafe but I also remember being too worn out to care. I think it was one of those where you have to spend $25 in the store to cover the parking. A good snapshot of OTR life to be catching the first half of the superbowl in that basement lounge and then going to crash because I was too tired to make it through the whole game.
That little shopping mall that was once a dirt lot across the street has revitalized the whole area. Several good restaurants, a nice organic grocery store, dollar store etc. What was once a dirt lot across from a prison has become a template for urban renewal that the rest of the nation can learn from, it's transformation worthy of a mention in a State Of The Union speech or a segment on The Food Channel. I see occasional homeless people when I walk to the store, but don't remember seeing any street prostitutes in 25+ years. It can seem stressful because it's right off 95, but once I got used to it I found that it has a certain funky charm that is quite appealing, with a roadside historical marker at the intersection informing that Geo. Washington had slept nearby once upon a time. Always rooms available in their hotel. I stayed there once out of curiosity, felt like I was the only guest. Nice and quiet on the top floor, just the way I like it. Opened a window, pointed the antennas and helped myself to the embassy's secrets.
