Residents of Tyumen repurposed a free underground parking facility in the city center for extended vehicle storage, including cars, ATVs, and trailers. This trend emerged as people sought practical winter storage solutions within easy reach of downtown life, turning the space into a long-term shelter rather than a mere momentary stop for parking convenience.
Located not far from the Drama Theater, the underground parking lot on the square commemorating Tyumen’s 400th anniversary began as a temporary convenience for short-term visitors. Over time, a sizable portion of the stalls was occupied by vehicles that remained for weeks or even months, effectively transforming the space into a semi-permanent storage area. The shift reflects how local residents without private garages leveraged the underground facility to protect their cars during the cold season, keeping their vehicles under a roof rather than leaving them exposed to the elements.
Inside, some vehicles were covered with fabric wraps to guard against dust and moisture, while others showed a thick layer of dust accumulating on the trunks and exteriors after prolonged parking. A notable number of trailers for cars and ATVs were spotted among the parked items, indicating that residents were using the space to store a variety of equipment beyond standard passenger cars.
In a separate note, a story from Barnaul described a case in which a car was once suspected to belong to a debtor and faced vandalism, only for the accusation to be disproved. This reminder underscores the importance of careful verification when assessing ownership and use of public or semi-public storage spaces in urban areas, especially during periods when long-term parking patterns become more common.