National Harbor - News, Events, Updates, Questions and Developments Etc. (Baltimore: purchases, malls)

[UrbanScholar]

Originally Posted by pgtvatitans

It is good news but I was curious if they are using the Plateau for overflow parking. Maybe UrbanScholar knows. If so, then I can only imagine how many people are out there.

I think it will still get a lot of business after the holidays. It won't be this bad but the southern part of the county doesn't have any other places really competing so this is going to be a go to place especially since it's new.

Yes that entire lot was available. Once they finish breaking down the tent that should be available as well. The bulk of the traffic was coming off of 210 (Probably stemming from the 210 exit 3)

[UrbanScholar]

Originally Posted by Zimar

You guys are making me very sad because I wanted to go today despite my general distaste for outlet malls (they sent me coupons! they know my kryptonite!) but I also hate crowds, especially hoards of Christmas shoppers...

DILEMMA!

Yeah you may want to wait until after thanksgiving and going midweek. You know PG ,especially southern PG has been lacking forever so its going to take some time for it to calm down.

[Fast GTO]

Very packed, but very nice. They clearly under estimated parking.

[liliblu]

Early was best. I left the house at about 8:30 am. We arrived before 9:00 am. I parked on the lot in front of the outlet. Most of the stores were about to open and a few decided to open early. I was able to shop and only had to stand in a few long lines that moved pretty quickly. The outlet looks great and everyone was in good spirits.

Traffic was more of an issue when I left. If all the lanes were open with the traffic lights functioning, traffic would be less of an issue. They also needed someone to alert the cops that spaces had opened up in the front lot. People could have been allowed into the lot off of Oxon Hill Road and saved time.

[liliblu]

Originally Posted by Zimar

You guys are making me very sad because I wanted to go today despite my general distaste for outlet malls (they sent me coupons! they know my kryptonite!) but I also hate crowds, especially hoards of Christmas shoppers...

DILEMMA!

Go early!!!! I always shop as early as possible. Opening until about 11:00 am - 12:00 pm is the best time to shop. It's worth getting up early.

[justtitans]

Originally Posted by UrbanScholar

Traffic was crazy both I saw a lot of available parking in the supplemental are when I came and when I was leaving. There is no reason to park on 295 even if parking was full to capacity. Come back another day sheesh!! Anyone that dumb to park there needs to be towed.

I think people were panicking. Probably was concerned about paying for parking. I think I will probably let the hype die down a few weeks before visiting.

It is already bad enough at Potomac Mills, it looks like it's going to be even worse there at Tanger. In the mean time I hope the county invests in creating an exit to go on to 210 south. I asked the DPW and they said there were no plans. Having everyone leaving get on one road just doesn't make sense. Most outlet malls in this area have multiple ways of leaving the area. The mall is way too enclosed right now.

[adelphi_sky]

Originally Posted by pgtvatitans

I think people were panicking. Probably was concerned about paying for parking. I think I will probably let the hype die down a few weeks before visiting.

It is already bad enough at Potomac Mills, it looks like it's going to be even worse there at Tanger. In the mean time I hope the county invests in creating an exit to go on to 210 south. I asked the DPW and they said there were no plans. Having everyone leaving get on one road just doesn't make sense. Most outlet malls in this area have multiple ways of leaving the area. The mall is way too enclosed right now.

That's usually Tanger's and Prime Outlet's MO. I've been to their outlets in other states and usually there is one way in and one way out. Granted, these are older outlets, so there is not much hype around them. They have settled in to becoming regular "strip malls" with strip mall traffic.

But this situation is unique. You have a grand opening with pent-up demand one week before the biggest shopping day. That's bound to cause issues. I'm sure as you said, a few weeks from now, normal traffic will resume as if it was a regular shopping center. Or, it may take a few months?

[justtitans]

Originally Posted by adelphi_sky

That's usually Tanger's and Prime Outlet's MO. I've been to their outlets in other states and usually there is one way in and one way out. Granted, these are older outlets, so there is not much hype around them. They have settled in to becoming regular "strip malls" with strip mall traffic.

But this situation is unique. You have a grand opening with pent-up demand one week before the biggest shopping day. That's bound to cause issues. I'm sure as you said, a few weeks from now, normal traffic will resume as if it was a regular shopping center. Or, it may take a few months?

Oh I am not just basing this off of what is currently happening. I was going out to the meetings during the planning a few years ago raising these issues. I agree with you about their design because the one in Mebane, NC is like that but the difference here is how those residents rejected expanding Oxon Hill Road. The road is just not adequate to handle all that traffic. It has to also account for rush hour as well as anything else built there.Building a ramp there would at least keep people from using that road more. It looks a lot worse than it will be in long term right now, but I am sure with the casino coming that they will want to make some changes to the infrastructure of that area.

[liliblu]

Originally Posted by adelphi_sky

That's usually Tanger's and Prime Outlet's MO. I've been to their outlets in other states and usually there is one way in and one way out. Granted, these are older outlets, so there is not much hype around them. They have settled in to becoming regular "strip malls" with strip mall traffic.

But this situation is unique. You have a grand opening with pent-up demand one week before the biggest shopping day. That's bound to cause issues. I'm sure as you said, a few weeks from now, normal traffic will resume as if it was a regular shopping center. Or, it may take a few months?

There are a couple of ways to get into the outlet. You can enter fron Tanger Blvd or from Oxon Hill Road. There is plenty of parking. The Grand Opening and the holidays will cause heavier traffic but I think even that will ease once all the traffic lights are working and all the lanes are open.

When I was leaving the outlet today it would have been a breeze if I had been allowed to make a left onto Oxon Hill Road. Instead I was forced to make a right and drive down to the 210 exit. It added a few extra minutes to my trip home.

[UrbanScholar]

Originally Posted by liliblu

Early was best. I left the house at about 8:30 am. We arrived before 9:00 am. I parked on the lot in front of the outlet. Most of the stores were about to open and a few decided to open early. I was able to shop and only had to stand in a few long lines that moved pretty quickly. The outlet looks great and everyone was in good spirits.

Traffic was more of an issue when I left. If all the lanes were open with the traffic lights functioning, traffic would be less of an issue. They also needed someone to alert the cops that spaces had opened up in the front lot. People could have been allowed into the lot off of Oxon Hill Road and saved time.

I agree with you on going early. This is the third time that I have been to an outlet so I don't have much to compare to but some of my friends were saying that it is always to get their 30 mins earlier. I agree about traffic but, since I live in Ft. Wash, what I did was go through the Harbor and got on the beltway to 210 which made for an easy ride home.