Performance Parking in Arlington, Are Fees Going Up? (Orange, Washington: apartment, rent)

[Caladium]

I saw something on the news yesterday that Arlington is cutting out free parking. I wasn't sure what the deal was, but I also saw this article about Performance Parking. Is this the same issue as what they were talking about on the news? What do you think, is this a good idea or a bad idea?

Arlington plans performance parking pilot, other progressive parking policies - Greater Greater Washington

[terrence81]

My response dealt more with the article that was in the Post. But now I'm more confused than ever.

So are they going to put in new meters? Are they going to charge private apartment buildings and making them in turn charge tenants more to park in garages? Will they force private companies to make their garages open to the public?

I just hope fees don't go up.

[pcity]

Originally Posted by terrence81

So are they going to put in new meters?

They'll probably put in more of the block payment machines rather than meters.

Are they going to charge private apartment buildings and making them in turn charge tenants more to park in garages? Will they force private companies to make their garages open to the public?

No, I think they were going to do the opposite. They'll charge private apartment buildings for allowing them not to have parking, and use that money for public garages. The idea is to have more public parking that can be used by anyone at any time rather than each shopping center/apartment building having it's own garage.

I just hope fees don't go up.

It seems like fees won't go up, but they will start charging for parking at more times, like evenings and Sundays. The idea is to open up more spots on the street so people don't have to search forever.

[pcity]

An example of the problem this "performance parking" initiative is trying to correct:

Where I work, there are parking garages specifically for my work. Next door, there are apartment buildings, and each apartment building has its own garage as well. The apartment garages are half-empty after 9AM. The work garages are empty after about 6PM. Wouldn't it make more sense to have one public garage for parking in the area, rather than have every building have its own garage that's only filled up for half of the day?

[normie]

Originally Posted by pcity

It seems like fees won't go up, but they will start charging for parking at more times, like evenings and Sundays. The idea is to open up more spots on the street so people don't have to search forever.

Sounds like a good idea. It'll bring in revenue and you're right that it will open up more spots on the street. But where will the people who need to park overnight go?

I've never lived in Arlington, so please forgive me if this is a dumb question. Is Arlington like New York? Do people buy their own parking spaces?

[pcity]

Originally Posted by normie

Sounds like a good idea. It'll bring in revenue and you're right that it will open up more spots on the street. But where will the people who need to park overnight go?

Yeah, right now, the meter cutoff is 6PM, and that's way too early. It's impossible to find a street spot in Ballston or Clarendon on a Friday or Saturday night.

As for people who need to park overnight, I don't think there'd be much change. It's inconvenient to park overnight on the street as it is. You'd have to get up to feed the meter at 8AM every day except for Sunday. Most residents have their own parking and I'd imagine most guests find a garage.

Is Arlington like New York? Do people buy their own parking spaces?

Depends on the building and the area in Arlington.

The new Orange Line condos either come with a spot or you have the option of buying one at the time you buy a condo. These spots are generally underground and in the same building as the condos. It's not like New York where you might live in one building and rent a spot somewhere down the block.

If you live away from the Metro, parking is usually free. Apartment/condo complexes have their own parking lots or you can get a residential parking permit from the County.

[ajzjmsmom]

Originally Posted by pcity

Yeah, right now, the meter cutoff is 6PM, and that's way too early. It's impossible to find a street spot in Ballston or Clarendon on a Friday or Saturday night.

As for people who need to park overnight, I don't think there'd be much change. It's inconvenient to park overnight on the street as it is. You'd have to get up to feed the meter at 8AM every day except for Sunday. Most residents have their own parking and I'd imagine most guests find a garage.



Depends on the building and the area in Arlington.

The new Orange Line condos either come with a spot or you have the option of buying one at the time you buy a condo. These spots are generally underground and in the same building as the condos. It's not like New York where you might live in one building and rent a spot somewhere down the block.

If you live away from the Metro, parking is usually free. Apartment/condo complexes have their own parking lots or you can get a residential parking permit from the County.

Is it really 8? When I got out at 6:55 I see the city out putting tickets on the cars.

[pcity]

It might vary by location. I think it was 8 in Pentagon City when I lived there.

Then again, I never actually parked on the street overnight so I could be remembering incorrectly.

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by pcity

It might vary by location. I think it was 8 in Pentagon City when I lived there.

Then again, I never actually parked on the street overnight so I could be remembering incorrectly.

The meter maids are out at 7am in Ballston where I work.