No parking: Alco parking revokes passes from large Steelers tailgates
Alco Parking has been cracking down on football tailgaters in response to complaints that some large pre-game parties on the North Shore were getting out of hand, according to company president Merrill Stabile.
Stabile said a small number of problematic tailgating organizers — he estimated maybe three or four — have been asked to stop hosting large, for-profit events in Alco lots. In one instance, a tailgate organizer put a pool table in a parking lot outside of Acrisure Stadium, Stabile said. Other times, tailgates have featured "ear-piercing" music and DJs that disrupted smaller, quieter gatherings. Some would set up full bars and sell wristbands that allowed attendees to get free drinks or snacks.
A for-profit tailgate occurs when organizers charge guests to attend and generate income.
Stabile said the rule barring for-profit tailgating isn't new, but Alco ramped up enforcement this year after hearing complaints from other tailgaters.
Sometimes people struggled to get into parking spots they'd pre-paid to secure because massive tailgates monopolized parking lots, he said, and other times people complained that boisterous crowds made it harder to enjoy smaller tailgates among friends.
The Pittsburgh Steelers-themed Terrible Tailgate — which draws 350 fans or more to the North Shore before games — were informed they can no longer set up in Red Lot 5A, not far from PNC Park, because of too large a crowd.
They pre-pay for five parking spots in the Alco Parking lot.
On Thursday, Stabile called the tailgate founder, Kevin Adams, to apologize for some misunderstandings — Adams and co-organizer Justin McGonigle were given the message about not being able to set up via Facebook messenger earlier this week by someone saying they were an Alco employee.
Stabile said Alco did not send that Facebook message but that another large tailgate is causing problems — he would not name which one — so all big tailgates needed to be shut down.
Adams said the tailgate was welcome and will set up at the outdoor lot near Nova Place on Federal Street for Sunday's game when the Steelers host the Baltimore Ravens. The area has 90 spaces and the Terrible Tailgate can have half of those. Guests will be former Steelers Donnie Shell, Rocky Bleier and Jon Kolb.
"Another tailgate has caused problems and if we have to shut down one we have to shut down all of them," Adams said. "(Stabile) said he does not have any ill will towards our tailgate and also said he will honor the five passes we have if we want to do a tailgate (on a smaller level), or he will give us the refund."
Adams said they will take the refund.
There is no information on Alco's website about for-profit tailgates, though Stabile said with so many people in one space it is difficult for people and cars to move through the area, and other tailgaters have been complaining.
The Terrible Tailgate charges anywhere from $40-$75 per person based on the Steeler player or players making an appearance. The money helps cover food and drink costs and pays Steelers player guests, which can charge as much as $10,000 to make an appearance.
"Tailgates require a lot of work," McGonigle said. "A lot of times we break even and we've lost money. Tailgating is a family and for some people who come to our tailgate, this might be their first game, and getting to meet a former player is a highlight for them."
Another large tailgate, North Shore Originals, posted on social media that its tailgates for Sunday and the Browns game on Nov. 21 have been canceled.
"Our team is diligently working on organizing the Christmas Tailgate and will keep you updated on any developments. If the Christmas Tailgate is also canceled, refunds will be issued to all attendees that pre-donated online by Monday November 18th. We have already processed refunds for the Ravens and Browns Tailgates. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused, as these cancellations were beyond our control."
The Steelers declined to comment.
"This has not been an issue in other cities we go to," Adams said. "Pittsburgh is known for its tailgating."
McGonigle said the night games attract more fans to the North Shore. The Steelers have had several night games this season. The next night game is Nov. 21 when the Steelers host the rival Browns.
"Parking lots are not designed for these large tailgates where they attract a lot of people," Stabile said. "They are running a small enterprise."
"They want the game-day experience," Adams said. "Where else can they get this kind of game-day experience?"
Stabile said Alco has no problem with the vast majority of tailgates. Most tailgaters, he said, are responsible, clean and quiet — and they're encouraged to continue gathering in Alco lots ahead of events.
"Tailgating is a way for these players to re-connect with the fans," Adams said. "This is a great game-day experience. We are not doing anything wrong."
"We're not trying to kill tailgating," Stabile said. "We're just trying to control it. They were not singled out. We revoked a few others. We warned them. The Terrible Tailgate got a little too terrible."
