Reston Town Center Parking Availability Signs Now in Service

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by Karen Goff — August 23, 2016 at 10:00 am 15 Comments

Updated, 4:20 p.m. Tuesday: Reston Town Center now said Tuesday afternoon in a Tweet it is turning off the availability signs “to allow for the final preparations for Sept. 12.”

Original story: Paid parking is still a few weeks away, but one of the features of the new parking system is up and running.

The electronic parking availability signs were on as of Monday, directing visitors to how many spaces are open at RTC’s seven garages.

There is one sign outside the garage entry that shows the total number of spaces available. A second sign, just inside the entry, shows the number of available spaces on each garage level. Signs inside the garage, suspended from the ceiling, show the number of available spaces in a particular row.

This could save visitors time they would spend circling the garage to find an open space.

After Sept. 12, this feature comes at a price. Parking will cost $2 an hour for weekday visitors. Saturday and Sunday will remain free, and some businesses will offer validation or discounts on future parking.

Learn more on Reston Town Center’s website.

DogPark

More useless signage. Come 9/12 there will always be parking available.

And remember that the Hyatt Regency Reston remains pleased to offer guests valet parking or self parking options.

*** Valet Parking Cost: ***
Overnight: $25.00
Daily: $20.00

*** Self-Parking Cost ***
Overnight Hotel Guest – $15.00
Daily – $6.00 up to 2 hours
Daily – $10.00 for 2-4 hours
Daily – $18.00 Max for 4+ hours <— VALUE PRICING
- Huh?
  
  That’s more expensive than the RTC garages, though, and it doesn’t have a validation option as far as I know. Why would someone do that?
Tom H

You will not see me there mid-week…. never… ever….
Jennifer Loizeaux

The fact that this is being implemented shows a severe ignorance in the geography of the area. Isn’t there an open-air (and free) lot right across from one of the garages? And also parking only a block away at the Best Buy?

But I fear most consumers will simply drive an extra five miles away (tops) for the same shops and free parking. I really feel for the businesses at RTC.
- ziacharm
  
  I feel bad for the shops in the Best Buy/Container store shopping center. I feel like parking there is going to be a nightmare with people parking there and walking to RTC. I feel it will affect their businesses too
JoyceW

I will not be parking there any more, so it makes no difference to me.
Wheatie

Why anyone would pay to park there is beyond my comprehension.
Pete Radloff

So will they stop blocking off levels 1 and 2 of the orange garage in the mornings now? It’s a little silly to have to drive to the 3rd floor when 1 and 2 are wide open and chained off. I get it, we need to stop the metro parking poachers (sarcasm), but now that we have the money gun to our heads, they should open up all floors all day.
Phil Lilienthal

Why is no one spearheading a boycott of RTC so the retail shops and management know why people are staying away? I would participate, but I am away too much to be a point person. If we had a one day a week boycott with picket signs and people out to convince unknowing shoppers of our cause, w=perhaps we could nip this horrible scheme before it gains acceptance.
- Why do you bother?
  
  Oh, don’t worry – they’ll know.
Nancy

I intend to boycott RTC and would be happy to march with picket signs. This is a TERRIBLE situation.
- Why do you bother?
  
  Don’t waste your time. This is not something that can be changed by public protest, unless that protest is in the form of not putting $$ into RTC’s owner’s pocket. He’s doing this for the money, and as long as he’s amassing it, he doesn’t give a sh!t what we think.
30yearsinreston

Since I won’t be paying for parking in RTC, this ‘ information’ does not help, nor corncern me
Arielle in NoVA

The one useful thing they could have added a long time ago, to *improve* the visiting experience for RTC customers. Too little, too late.
xtr657

I realize that Boston Properties has a right to charge for parking on their property, but where was the Fairfax County government on this decision. Did the BOS fight at all against the plan? There is clearly going to be a trickle down effect on the community including strains on the Best Buy parking lot and people crossing New Dominion Parkway. Once you start the pay to park, it will set a precedent for the rest of the area and I feel like our elected officials just said “eh.”

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