Detroit seems to have more private lots than other cities I've visited. Maybe I am way off base, but it seems like private parking lot companies really have Detroit businesses under their thumb.

Not sure if its free or not but here is a link.

Eric Larson, non-executive president of Olympia Development, said it's difficult for parking lot owners to meet the needs of the businesses around them while making money as a private enterprise.

"We try to identify when the demand is being generated, what the nature of demand is -- to see who is it we are trying to serve and how best to do that -- while at the same time recognizing there is a cost associated with operating it and parking," Larson said.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...FREE/307299971