Heather Curtis
WMAL.com
RESTON, VA — (WMAL) The company that manages Reston Town Center, Boston Properties, is changing its parking policy in the area. Starting Monday, parking will be free after 5 p.m. on weekdays and for an hour during the day for people shopping.
The change comes after businesses and others complained when the company started charging people $2 an hour to park on weekdays at the beginning of the year. Parking is still free on weekends.
Suzanne Zurn, who started the grassroots campaign opposing paid parking at Reston Town Center, says the change probably isn’t enough to get people back to Reston Town Center, but it is progress.
Zurn says the parking fees have done irreversible damage to the community, businesses and their employees.
Many people in the community probably still want to push for free parking all the time again, but she thinks that’s unlikely.
An hour of free parking is progress but probably not enough time for business lunches, etc.
They didn’t address people’s concerns with their parking app, according to Zurn. Even if you’re only parking for an hour weekdays, you still need to start a parking session and have your credit card information in the app. People are concerned about the app’s data tracking and lack of ease of use. They want them to get rid of the app.
In a press release Boston Properties says a study of traffic patterns and behaviors along with input from retailers found that the one hour of free parking and free parking after 5 p.m. will address the main concerns expressed by the community.
Boston Properties Executive Vice President Peter Johnston says, “Considering the current, challenging, national retail marketplace, these changes reflect Boston Properties’ continued commitment to its merchants. We are confident this new model will help ensure the long-term success of all Reston Town Center stakeholders.”
Copyright 2017 by WMAL.com All Rights Reserved (PHOTO: CC0 Public Domain via Pixabay)
