Comments on: Parking Transaction Time In Rockville Town Square

By: Ryan Fleming

Ryan Fleming — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 03:47:10 +0000

The parking software is terrible. System is fine — I just think they need a software update. Also, would it kill them to allow you to buy 15 minutes?

By: Temperance Blalock

Temperance Blalock — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 23:26:47 +0000

If you live anyplace long enough, you see that things are cyclic. I used to live near Rio about ten years ago, and it was a rather desolate place. They had a very hard time finding tenants for awhile – just about the only functioning businesses in that building were the movie theater and the Hamburger Hamlet. They eventually found their identity, and now they’re successful. I got mugged in the Rio parking lot, which was a very frightening place back then.

By: anonymous

anonymous — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:00:56 +0000

Here is what I think. And I’m surprised no one has brought it up before. I think the city has to charge for parking or else the commuters who ride the metro from the rockville station will park in the garages for free. You know that would happen! and then there could be no empty spaces for the shoppers/diners.

I think Rio is incomparable to Town Center and Rio is fantastic. However, they have much land at their disposal, no metro stop walking distance away and vastly more shops, restaurants and a few hotels.

I am not a fan of Rockville Town Center nor the mayor council as a whole but I do feel charging for parking is necessary.

Though i will admit that is a huge reason why I don’t go there.

I feel for the people who need to pay to work out at golds gy. i didn’t think of that. that is a shame! and to pay a dollar when you want to grab a cappuccino is ridiculous too. So yes, I would drive a bit farther even with high gas prices, even with wear and tear on my car. And guess what? if I drive all the way to tRio I have more shopping to do while I’m drinking my cappuccino. Like a hardware store, home goods stores that aren’t overspriced and won’t go out of business tomorrow.

Town center sucks for many reasons but I feel the council needs to charge for parking due to the metro.

By: Temperance Blalock

Temperance Blalock — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:34:55 +0000

I’m always surprised that there are so many empty parking spaces in front of the old Giant on North Washington, since it’s just a half-block walk from Town Center. Either people would just rather park in the paid parking lot and not walk, or else there must be some incredibly effective ticket enforcement in the old Giant lot.

By: JJ

JJ — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:23:19 +0000

Aggressive when it comes to tickets, not so much in making sure people aren’t abusing the spots reserved for library dropoffs (Maryland Avenue) and for 10 minute takeout order pickup, dry cleaning business, etc in the open lot on North Washington.

By: anonymous

anonymous — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 04:05:28 +0000

I am confused by the JJ post above: is the parking enforcement too aggressive or not aggressive enough?

By: JJ

JJ — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 02:56:35 +0000

Like Alice, I too avoid Town Center for certain activities. If you want to pick up a pizza at Primo, you have to find parking, and usually meters are taken. I tried double parking and calling from outside, but the roving enforcers were quick to tell me to move or get a ticket. Same is true with the bank…if I need to use an inside service I have to drive out of the way to the branch on 355. Ditto for Starbucks, or take out at any of the other restaurants. There is supposed to be a 10 minute spot or two for just this purpose, but they are usually taken by long term parkers and complaints to the enforcers have gone unanswered.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 20:18:00 +0000

I think the user who wrote “suggest getting a life” was using common vernacular to say “this isn’t something worth getting worked up about.”
My uncle is handicapped and says, essentially, he recognizes that there is an added overhead to him getting around anywhere, and even some places he just can’t go. But he also says that he has more opportunities for mobility here in America at this day in age than any other time in human history.

I think I have paid for parking maybe 4 times. Usually I walk or bike. I drive on winter nights to exercise there. Which is why it is going to suck when they charge for parking after 7pm. Half hour or 15 minute increment parking is the way to go.
Ultimately, though, if someone doesn’t like the experience – then just don’t go. Concentrate on somewhere that you enjoy more.

Economist Milton Friedman said “there is no free lunch.” There is also no “free parking.” You pay for it in the products you buy or services you buy at your destination. Somebody always pays. There is no magic parking fairy that waves a wand and makes big free garages just appear. The space you put a car is worth quite a bit more than the car itself, especially around here. One way another, those garage bonds will have to be paid back. By us taxpayers, by people who use the garages, by customers of the restaurants.

By: Alice Liu

Alice Liu — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 19:04:29 +0000

I’m with Brad in that I think there are better parking systems out there. I liked the cashkey system when I used to work in Bethesda. Just from a customer experience point of view, you want to make it as easy as possible for people to use. The easier it is, the more likely people will comply. I always thought that having to remember the number of your parking space was a major weakness for this reason. I also don’t like that it works only in one hour increments. Often I just want a coffee from Starbucks or grab a meal to go and all the metered parking is taken so I just don’t bother. Even though it’s just a dollar it’s a waste to pay for an entire hour when I need just 5-10 minutes. I do make a point of trying not to go to the gym until after 7 pm so I can park for free.

By: Brad Rourke

Brad Rourke — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 14:03:41 +0000

FYI, apropos of this exchange, I have written a "comment policy reminder."