TH1974
07-25-2008, 04:35 PM
http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080725/HAWKS0104/80725006/1079
Since the 1920s, Iowa football fans have gone to the Neuzil place at the end of Olive Court to park their cars, grill their meats and drink their beers.
But not anymore. The land will be sold to developer Jeff Hendrickson, who is planning to build 31 single-story condominiums at the nine acre site.
Sheryl Neuzil, who lives at 69 Olive Court, has allowed hundreds of fans to park their cars for a price -- she wouldn’t say how much -- every football Saturday.
“One day it had to come to an end, and this is the day. It’s the end of an era,” she said.
She said that she’ll miss the good times tailgating. Or at least some of it.
“The students had no respect for anything,” she said. “It just gets out of control.”
It was common for her, along with friends and family, to pick up between 15 and 20 bags of beer cans littered across the property on home football weekends.
But Neuzil said she also had regulars whom she’s gotten to know over the years.
“I think a lot of people are going to miss it. Sometimes it’s a headache, but it was a good time,” she said.
Jon Goodvin has been tailgating at the Neuzil’s for 17 years and said he’s going to miss it.
“The Neuzil family always did a great job of holding spots for us,” he said. “I think you had a good blend of long-time season ticket-holders and students.”
Goodvin said he’s tailgated with friends, parking 10 to 15 cars at the lot. He said they’re considering other options this season, but he expects to pay more to park.
“It’s supply and demand,” he said.
The developer, Hendrickson, said he expects to close on the deal in late August, and the property will be closed to tailgaters.
University Heights Police Chief Ron Fort said police will have barricades at Olive Court for the first few games to let people know the property is closed.
“I have no idea of where they’re going to go,” he said of the fans. “Almost every place that can be rented at University Heights is.”
Fort estimated that 700 cars parked at the property each football Saturday.
University of Iowa Associate Athletic Director of External Affairs Rick Klatt said the university is recommending fans park at Finkbine Golf Course, the UI Athletics Hall of Fame or taking the Hawkeye Express train from Coralville.
Since the 1920s, Iowa football fans have gone to the Neuzil place at the end of Olive Court to park their cars, grill their meats and drink their beers.
But not anymore. The land will be sold to developer Jeff Hendrickson, who is planning to build 31 single-story condominiums at the nine acre site.
Sheryl Neuzil, who lives at 69 Olive Court, has allowed hundreds of fans to park their cars for a price -- she wouldn’t say how much -- every football Saturday.
“One day it had to come to an end, and this is the day. It’s the end of an era,” she said.
She said that she’ll miss the good times tailgating. Or at least some of it.
“The students had no respect for anything,” she said. “It just gets out of control.”
It was common for her, along with friends and family, to pick up between 15 and 20 bags of beer cans littered across the property on home football weekends.
But Neuzil said she also had regulars whom she’s gotten to know over the years.
“I think a lot of people are going to miss it. Sometimes it’s a headache, but it was a good time,” she said.
Jon Goodvin has been tailgating at the Neuzil’s for 17 years and said he’s going to miss it.
“The Neuzil family always did a great job of holding spots for us,” he said. “I think you had a good blend of long-time season ticket-holders and students.”
Goodvin said he’s tailgated with friends, parking 10 to 15 cars at the lot. He said they’re considering other options this season, but he expects to pay more to park.
“It’s supply and demand,” he said.
The developer, Hendrickson, said he expects to close on the deal in late August, and the property will be closed to tailgaters.
University Heights Police Chief Ron Fort said police will have barricades at Olive Court for the first few games to let people know the property is closed.
“I have no idea of where they’re going to go,” he said of the fans. “Almost every place that can be rented at University Heights is.”
Fort estimated that 700 cars parked at the property each football Saturday.
University of Iowa Associate Athletic Director of External Affairs Rick Klatt said the university is recommending fans park at Finkbine Golf Course, the UI Athletics Hall of Fame or taking the Hawkeye Express train from Coralville.