Reston Town Center will Charge for Parking (shops, garage)

[Hesky]

Reston Town Center is nice, but I feel like its location (practically an exurb of Washington), the numer of businesses in the town center and the large amount of competition it receives from other shopping areas in Nova (such as Tysons, the Dulles Town Center, Leesburg, Fair Oaks, Loudoun One, etc) all make me feel that Reston doesn't have enough clout yet to start charging people for parking without negative consequences. Sure, now that the metro is going to be nearby they may get more commuter traffic, but Tysons has the same problem and if Tysons isn't charging people to park there, Reston has no business doing it.

[ICS67]

OK CD-ers, get your barf bags ready for some more glorious corporate BS from Boston Properties re paid parking at Reston Town Center (per a story today on the Reston Now website):

https://www.restonnow.com/2016/08/19...#disqus_thread

To quote Rob Weinhold, whose official title is "Boston Properties' spokesperson for mobile pay parking and mobile safety communications programs" (aside: how does he fit that title on his office door?):

"Beginning on Monday, September 12, those who patronize the Reston Town Center will experience two state-of-the-art technologies accessible through free downloadable apps to enhance their living, working, and shopping experiences."

Editorial comment: BARF!

He continues to prattle on about "RTC's world-class customer experience" and then offers the coup de grace:

"Boston Properties wants to do everything possible to enhance customer convenience, safety, and overall experience through mobile paid parking and safety applications."

Editorial comment: BARF! BARF!

Nothing like charging for something that used to be free, and having to download an app that's set to suck up all sorts of your personal data and raises serious privacy concerns for an "enhanced experience".

There's been a lot of excellent coverage of this whole issue on the Reston Now website. One of the best reader comments was from someone who pointed out that it took four in-depth stories on Reston Now just to explain how the parking system works.

As for me, to paraphrase Michael Corleone's memorable line to his brother Fredo, "RTC, you're nothing to me now."

[Old Guard]

Originally Posted by Hesky

Reston Town Center is nice, but I feel like its location (practically an exurb of Washington), the numer of businesses in the town center and the large amount of competition it receives from other shopping areas in Nova (such as Tysons, the Dulles Town Center, Leesburg, Fair Oaks, Loudoun One, etc) all make me feel that Reston doesn't have enough clout yet to start charging people for parking without negative consequences. Sure, now that the metro is going to be nearby they may get more commuter traffic, but Tysons has the same problem and if Tysons isn't charging people to park there, Reston has no business doing it.

They had something on this on the local news last week or the week before.

They interviewed people on the street. One lady said that she would be charged to park at RTC to shop at the same exact store and buy the same exact item as she would at Tysons and not be charged to park.

I thought this was a great point.

I used to love RTC but now it is too big and I do not like it as much. It just grew out of what it was and is not enough to be what I think it wants to be.

Also the traffic has ruined it. Yes, I complain a lot. Good luck RTC.

[kevinm]

Originally Posted by Middlin

I've never understood this term "fake downtown". It's an area with a mix of residential, office and commercial establishments with the occasional event thrown in. I don't understand why this is fake. I live near Old Town Manassas and find parts of it quaint. Is this a "real downtown" because it's old?

I guess it does not qualify as a "real downtown" unless it has rapes, muggings, and bums sleeping in the alley.

[NOVA_guy]

Originally Posted by kevinm

I guess it does not qualify as a "real downtown" unless it has rapes, muggings, and bums sleeping in the alley.

um, it doesn't qualify as a real downtown because it is essentially an upscale shopping center with high rises in a suburban town.

[kevinm]

Originally Posted by Old Guard

They had something on this on the local news last week or the week before.

They interviewed people on the street. One lady said that she would be charged to park at RTC to shop at the same exact store and buy the same exact item as she would at Tysons and not be charged to park.

I thought this was a great point.

I used to love RTC but now it is too big and I do not like it as much. It just grew out of what it was and is not enough to be what I think it wants to be.

Also the traffic has ruined it. Yes, I complain a lot. Good luck RTC.

Driving to Tyson's is not free. This reminds me of the stories about people who would drive a few miles out of town to save 2 cents on a gallon of gas.

[Old Guard]

Originally Posted by kevinm

Driving to Tyson's is not free. This reminds me of the stories about people who would drive a few miles out of town to save 2 cents on a gallon of gas.

Driving to RTC is also not free.

[Ffxdata]

Originally Posted by kevinm

Driving to Tyson's is not free. This reminds me of the stories about people who would drive a few miles out of town to save 2 cents on a gallon of gas.

RTC and Tysons aren't 40 miles apart. We aren't comparing RTC to the Annapolis Outlets. What an odd argument.

[bluef250]

Doubtful that complaining about it on a forum that Boston Properties doesn't read is really going to do much good. Also doubtful that they didn't perform the due diligence in researching what the market would bear before deciding to implement paid poarking.

Aside, I'll bet that as many people swear that they won't shop at RTC when paid parking is implemented, that just as many will shop there just because they don't want to deal with Tyson's Corner or for whatever reason. It costs money to go out, even if you're just looking--it's just that one may cost more than the other. Whether it's pennies or dollars doesn't really make a difference.

Different strokes for different folks.

[Old Guard]

Originally Posted by bluef250

Doubtful that complaining about it on a forum that Boston Properties doesn't read is really going to do much good. Also doubtful that they didn't perform the due diligence in researching what the market would bear before deciding to implement paid poarking.

Aside, I'll bet that as many people swear that they won't shop at RTC when paid parking is implemented, that just as many will shop there just because they don't want to deal with Tyson's Corner or for whatever reason. It costs money to go out, even if you're just looking--it's just that one may cost more than the other. Whether it's pennies or dollars doesn't really make a difference.

Different strokes for different folks.

I am not sure what your point is? I read this forum and now I know they will charge for parking and that will affect my decision to go. I found this post useful.