NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Thousands of college basketball fans will be in Nashville for the Southeastern Conference Tournament this weekend, which could mean parking headaches for visitors and residents alike.

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About 19,500 fans are expected to attend the 10-game, four-day tournament at the Bridgestone Arena.

Downtown visitors are being welcomed with open arms by business owners desperate for money. Owners said January's water main break, paired with a colder-than-normal winter and down economy, created a perfect storm for bad business.

Brian Messer, who owns three downtown businesses, estimates the water main break cost him between $20,000 and $30,000.

"This whole water breakage couldn't have happened at a worse time, literally," said Messer. "People are really panicking that they won't make it until April, May, June when Fanfare kicks in, but they are really, really scared. It's panic among a lot of the downtown merchants."

The roads affected by the water main break downtown are back open because of the heavy traffic in town for the tournmanent, but parking meters in some places are still blocked with temporary water lines.

The SEC basketball tournament and its fans are more than welcome to Music City.

Downtown business owner Kirk Evans opened Piranhas Bar & Grill six years ago. He said this was the worst winter economically for him given the cold weather and broken water pipes.

Temporary pipes are still in the road so there's no parking along Second Avenue, but the businesses are hoping the foot traffic from basketball fans will give them a boost.

“I’m hoping it’s like a little mini Fan Fair that kind of kicks off tourism season. We really need as many people down here as we can get,” said Messer. “We really, really need this shot in the arm.”

Parking is at a premium with thousands of spaces either gone or moved. Fans are urged to park at LP Field and take the shuttle to the arena.

Cars can park in lots "D" and "N" for $5 a day. Vans and RVs can park in lot "P" for $30.

“Plan a little bit ahead. Go to the Web site, Park It Downtown, and pick your venue, pick your parking site and map it out before you go,” said Tom Turner of the Nashville Downtown Partnership.

The Nashville Sports Council estimates the 2006 SEC tournament brought in about $10 million to the city.