Ferris Bueller Posted February 4, 2017 Posted February 4, 2017 Starting the 1st week of 2017, Reston Town Center instituted a new paid parking policy utilizing a proprietary parking application and somewhat bizarre method of color-specific parking locations. Apparently people who oppose the policy are voicing their position by not frequenting the numerous businesses there. The local printed press has recently been paying more attention: "Town Center Merchants Considering Lawsuit over Paid Parking" by Dave Emke on restonnow.com The local TV news media is slowly keying into it as well: "Reston Town Center Businesses, Residents, Push Back on Paid Parking" on fox5dc.com 1
Joe H Posted February 5, 2017 Posted February 5, 2017 This is a huge issue locally and will probably go national: Boston Properties (BXP) is a publicly traded company which reported after 4:00 on Tuesday and had their conference call on Weds. morning. There was no mention of any problems at Town Center. There are also 1,600 or so apartments and condos at Town Center who must be having similar problems. The result of both is that this afternoon @3:00PM (when street parking was $3.00 an hour and a complicated app to pay it) there were, perhaps, 35-40 people around the skating rink. I would guess that a similar day a year ago would have had well over 100, perhaps 200. Bottom line to everyhting is that Clarity, Red's Table, One Loudoun and Tysons are among the beneficiaries of Boston Properties decision.
Ferris Bueller Posted February 6, 2017 Author Posted February 6, 2017 Last I read, there are 60 or so RTC businesses meeting today to discuss situation. Hopefully those empowered at BP will listen and reconsider parking position. Reston is not LA or DC or NYC and to have a paid parking system implemented as it was done seems silly. There are many other options with few, if any, charging for parking in a suburban shopping area that is convenient but far from unique.
lion Posted February 6, 2017 Posted February 6, 2017 We haven't been there since paid parking went into effect. Sweet Green was probably my most frequent stop in RTC but just go to the one in Mosaic if over in that neck of the woods. Also have been going to Vienna more frequently for Chopt and Taco Bamba or 100 Bowls of Soup and Mom's organic market in Herndon. I can understand paid parking in the future at the Wiehle Avenue metro stop for going to Founding Farmers when it opens up. However they have kiosks and charge a low amount. This entire need to download an app and that nonsense is very off putting. The tenants should sue Boston Properties.
Ferris Bueller Posted February 7, 2017 Author Posted February 7, 2017 But wait there's more....Now there is a Protest March: https://www.restonnow.com/2017/02/06/online-call-for-protest-of-town-center-paid-parking-draws-interest/
Joe H Posted February 7, 2017 Posted February 7, 2017 Boston Properties' representative said late last week that 70,000 people have downloaded the app. I wonder if all 70,000 read the following in the next to the last paragraph of the "Terms and Conditions": https://www.restontowncenter.com/parking/parking-terms-conditions/ "By using the Platform, you agree that the statutes and laws of the United States and the State of North Carolina without regard to conflicts of laws principles, will apply to all matters relating to use of the Platform and the Services, and you agree that any litigation shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state or federal courts in Wake County, North Carolina, USA." It actually says that the "laws of....North Carolina....will apply..." So...how many people parking at Reston Town Center know that if there is a legal problem, by using the app they have agreed to resolve it legally in North Carolina? And, for all those reading this, have any of you ever parked anywhere that you would have to agree to "Terms and Conditions" like these before you could park? The "Terms and Conditions" are 13 pages long when printed. A meeting of merchants this afternoon: http://patch.com/virginia/reston/reston-town-center-merchants-organize-against-paid-parking 1
DanielK Posted February 7, 2017 Posted February 7, 2017 9 hours ago, Ferris Bueller said: There are many other options with few, if any, charging for parking in a suburban shopping area that is convenient but far from unique. I'm not saying that they way they implemented it isn't colossally stupid, but there's certainly a trend in dense suburban locations that charge for parking. In MoCo, Bethesda, Rockville, and Silver Spring all have paid parking.
Joe H Posted February 7, 2017 Posted February 7, 2017 17 minutes ago, DanielK said: I'm not saying that they way they implemented it isn't colossally stupid, but there's certainly a trend in dense suburban locations that charge for parking. In MoCo, Bethesda, Rockville, and Silver Spring all have paid parking. This is different. Bethesda involves meters and perhaps a credit card. If Reston had done this, probably this thread wouldn't exist. They have an "app" which involves a number of steps to use along with several minutes each time it is used. At Reston Town Center you need a smartphone.to park on the street (although not in a garage where you can use a kiosk although not every garage has one). As I noted above there are "terms and conditions" which you have to agree to if you use it. There are also other complications such as $3.00 an hour to park on the street including Saturday while a garage is $2.00 an hour and Saturdays are free. Please read the "terms and conditions." They are breathtaking. There may be more than 1,000 posts on Reston Town Center's Facebook page with virtually every one negative. https://www.facebook.com/RestonTownCenter/?fref=hovercard There are no meters, no gates, no tickets. Nothing traditional. This is parking for the 22nd Century. Except we're in the 21st.
zgast Posted February 7, 2017 Posted February 7, 2017 9 hours ago, Joe H said: This is different. Bethesda involves meters and perhaps a credit card. If Reston had done this, probably this thread wouldn't exist. They have an "app" which involves a number of steps to use along with several minutes each time it is used. At Reston Town Center you need a smartphone.to park on the street (although not in a garage where you can use a kiosk although not every garage has one). As I noted above there are "terms and conditions" which you have to agree to if you use it. There are also other complications such as $3.00 an hour to park on the street including Saturday while a garage is $2.00 an hour and Saturdays are free. Please read the "terms and conditions." They are breathtaking. There may be more than 1,000 posts on Reston Town Center's Facebook page with virtually every one negative. https://www.facebook.com/RestonTownCenter/?fref=hovercard There are no meters, no gates, no tickets. Nothing traditional. This is parking for the 22nd Century. Except we're in the 21st. Parking in Montgomery County is by way if you wish in most public lots (it's a lot more convenient). Some public lots are credit card only. Street parking is 2.5X more expensive than garages, which remain free on the weekends. I have no idea about the implementation in Reston, but not totally dissimilar in concept.
Ferris Bueller Posted February 7, 2017 Author Posted February 7, 2017 Perhaps they are setting the trend for paid parking in suburban VA (j/k). Since Tysons (I and II), Fair Lakes/Fair Oaks, One Loudoun and Vienna are all within a relatively short driving distance and have at least as much diversity for shopping/eating, it seems odd that RTC is instigating a paid parking system. The publicized reasoning was to stop the "commuter" parking for the Metro starting at Wiehle Ave and the future station under construction at Reston Parkway. The area is not as dense as Bethesda or Rockville which have far more office space and commuter traffic, where parking may be more of a premium. RTC is a stand alone destination, convenient due to its proximity to Rte 7 and Dulles Toll Road. Obviously people are boycotting the RTC which is referenced in the recent links posted above. It is affecting the businesses and their employees with potentially reduced income (based on the nature of their business) and also being charged for parking too.
dcs Posted February 7, 2017 Posted February 7, 2017 Speaking with a bartender and at unnamed restaurant, she told of local residents who had been warehousing their second (and third?) vehicles in the garages for free now complaining of the new monthly expense to keep their cars parked.
twj410 Posted February 7, 2017 Posted February 7, 2017 Have to go to RTC for work meetings, dinner, etc. It's the app that made the parking such a pain. Maybe in time once people have the app and have used the stupid app, people will become more comfortable with paying to park? That said, it still seems expensive and the restaurant's validation policy (at least at M&S) is underwhelming.
ktmoomau Posted February 8, 2017 Posted February 8, 2017 I think you need to really be careful with parking apps. And have an alternative. I won't pay to park at RTC- for lunch I normally go to WF, or Zoe's Kitchen down the street in the other shopping plaza anyway. It is really going to hurt the casual lunch places. I don't want to pay for parking when grabbing a $6-7 lunch. I have to say, I hate parking in Old Town Alexandria due to the app they chose. I find the one for DC and Arlington easy to use, but the one for Alexandria is a nightmare. They released a new version- still just as confusing. BUT I can pay the meter with change or credit card instead and am not forced to use the app, so there is some reprieve. If I had to always use the app, I would likely consider other options more often. Regarding long term parking- that is an easy issue surveillance and towing could fix. 1
MarkS Posted February 8, 2017 Posted February 8, 2017 Totally agree. I work in Reston and will not go to RTC anymore. My Wife who works in Herndon shares that thought. ZOE's has become a go to when I go out which is not very often.
curiouskitkatt Posted February 8, 2017 Posted February 8, 2017 On 2/7/2017 at 6:11 AM, Tom Power said: Parking sucks At least at Tysons II there is valet. BTW, its complimentary if you are dining inside the mall. Tysons is free too. Free parking for all, kat
Ferris Bueller Posted February 9, 2017 Author Posted February 9, 2017 I do not think it is the app, but that has only made the situation more challenging. I think it is the fact there was once "free" parking at RTC, and now it comes at a cost along with a strange way of regulating where you can park and for which establishments. When something has been free for 20+ years, but now it costs a fee (as some have commented and observed a relatively high fee compared to other areas that have limited or high demand parking), people get upset; it makes them think twice about going someplace and hanging out. Some validate, some do not - you have to figure any company leasing from RTC/BP knew when there was free parking there were no objections to people going to RTC to enjoy food/shopping/walking around/events etc...now with the paid parking and a bizarre color-themed, specific level designated parking system, people think twice or simply do not go anymore. I believe, based on observation, and from articles as linked and referenced above, it is the latter. People have made the decision to stop patronizing RTC which affects every retailer and employee who has a store or stores there. As people boycott the RTC ownership's decision to commit to paid parking, sadly the retail businesses there take the hit. The lack of both pedestrian and vehicular traffic is visibly noticeable since the new parking system activated.
Ferris Bueller Posted February 9, 2017 Author Posted February 9, 2017 Boston Properties: Impact of Town Center Paid Parking ‘Far Less’ Than Claimed https://www.restonnow.com/2017/02/09/boston-properties-impact-of-town-center-paid-parking-far-less-than-claimed/ I had a business lunch today in Reston; originally scheduled to meet at RTC. Changed plans to meet at Not Your Average Joe's at 1 PM, so I did not have to explain any of the challenges of the parking app/parking to attendees. I could tell it was busy since the parking lot was packed, so was the restaurant. Waited about 15 mins for a table, and their indoor waiting area had no fewer than 20 people waiting for tables. If anything, perhaps the secondary shopping areas are directly seeing more business traffic with the RTC parking situation.
Joe H Posted February 10, 2017 Posted February 10, 2017 https://www.restonnow.com/2017/02/09/boston-properties-impact-of-town-center-paid-parking-far-less-than-claimed/ above is a post with Boston Properties response.
PollyG Posted February 11, 2017 Posted February 11, 2017 They really need to switch to free parking after 5 pm--this is how they avoid killing the tenants with parking fees and keep people in restaurants.
lion Posted February 13, 2017 Posted February 13, 2017 On 2/10/2017 at 9:07 PM, PollyG said: They really need to switch to free parking after 5 pm--this is how they avoid killing the tenants with parking fees and keep people in restaurants. I think this would go a long way to solving the problems on both sides but the app issue would still be there. We thought about going there today but just skipped it.
Ferris Bueller Posted February 13, 2017 Author Posted February 13, 2017 We had a (pre-parking app/charging) party planned for last night at RTC. Luckily it was on a weekend so the parking app and issue was not a problem for anyone. While there, I walked around a little and it was extremely quieet. Granted it was a Sunday evening, however the parking garages were empty, there was minimal walking traffic and several of the restaurants I passed were empty. This was between 6-8:30 PM and purely just a passerby observation on my part.
Ferris Bueller Posted March 4, 2017 Author Posted March 4, 2017 The latest was an "Open Letter" to Reston Community regarding paid parking at RTC, published today.
lion Posted March 5, 2017 Posted March 5, 2017 Thanks for the link Ferris Bueller! We went for the first time last weekend and noticed the signs stating nothing was necessary to park on the weekends for free which frankly was good. I didn't want to find the small pay booth and navigate the process or download the app. I think RTC is pulling out the big guns on Fridays to draw people in since they had a Daniel Tiger show at lunch time. In the toddler crowd that's a Thomas Keller appearance we skipped! 1
Ferris Bueller Posted March 11, 2017 Author Posted March 11, 2017 Reston Town Center Merchants: Paid Parking is ‘Tearing the Fabric of Who We Are’ on restonnow.com The latest installment, basically a very well-written piece from one of the merchants and a representative for other's at RTC:
Ferris Bueller Posted March 15, 2017 Author Posted March 15, 2017 "End of Free Parking is the Last Straw for Some Reston Residents" by Antonio Olivo on washingtonpost.com ...and, with free weekend parking: "Family Fun Saturdays - March 11" on restontowncenter.com --- FWIW - decided to meet friends at Mon Ami on Sunday for Brunch - excellent food and even better create-your-own Bloody Mary bar. Restaurant was busy, but there were empty tables and you could easily sit in the bar area. Parking was free and here was plenty of it. When leaving, it was noticeably quiet and many of the restaurants we passed on our way to our car were not busy.
DonRocks Posted March 19, 2017 Posted March 19, 2017 What worries me is what happened about twenty years ago, when people said "the last straw" was tearing down Evans Farm Inn. That was the beginning of *all* this "Tysons as the next New York" crap peddled on people by real-estate developers. The Metro to Dulles should have been underground until it got out to the toll road; now it's just a big eyesore, and always will be. I'm all for Metro going to Dulles; they simply (or, not-so-simply, because it would have been expensive as hell) needed to have run it underground until it got out past the commercial sector of Route 7 - *then*, it could have run above-ground between the toll lanes, and nobody would have cared. Tysons is an absolute disgrace, and Route 7 - between the Beltway and around Tyco Road - may be the single ugliest stretch of asphalt in the entire DC Metro area right now. I don't care how much it would have cost to have run the Metro underground to that point, but as a long-term investment, it would have been worth it. This is Virginia's Whitehurst Freeway. 4
Pool Boy Posted March 22, 2017 Posted March 22, 2017 The people who run the RTC can do whatever they want - their choice. They can also watch the patrons of the stores and restaurnats and whatever also make a choice - some may stay and pay, others will say piss off and go somewhere else. Retail is dead. It's been dead for 20 years.
Ferris Bueller Posted March 22, 2017 Author Posted March 22, 2017 More Attention for Town Center Parking Debate — Reston Town Center merchant Aaron Gordon was on The Kojo Nnamdi Show on D.C. radio station WAMU on Tuesday speaking about paid parking at the Town Center. Supervisor Cathy Hudgins was also on the show to give her thoughts. [WAMU/player.fm]
Ferris Bueller Posted March 23, 2017 Author Posted March 23, 2017 Town Center Restaurant Files Lawsuit Against Boston Properties Over Parking by Dave Emke — March 23, 2017 at 11:00 am3 Comments (Edited 11:35 a.m. with more information from lawsuit and link to view document) The first lawsuit regarding Boston Properties’ paid parking system at Reston Town Center has been filed. In a press release Thursday morning, Jackson’s Mighty Fine Food and Lucky Lounge (11927 Democracy Drive) announced the suit, which includes a motion for a temporary injunction over the “cumbersome paid parking system [Boston Properties] implemented in January 2017.” Representatives of Town Center businesses have been meeting among themselves to discuss their options since paid parking began, and the threat of potential legal action was first made public in early February. The suit by Jackson’s (view) was filed Wednesday afternoon in the Circuit Court of Fairfax County. In addition to the injunction, the restaurant seeks “an award of damages of $500,000 or other specific amount to be established at trial.” According to the lawsuit, Jackson’s says it negotiated lease terms preventing Boston Properties from implementing parking controls that “unduly impede” guests and requiring Boston Properties to assure that any paid parking system must allow Jackson’s to validate parking — at no expense to the restaurant — for guests and employees. The lawsuit claims the validation system imposed by BXP violates the restaurant’s lease rights and the requirements it sought. “Our team has been inundated with complaints from guests who tell us that the process to use the validation system is cumbersome and confusing,” said Orson Williams, managing partner at Jackson’s, in the announcement. “On top of that, Boston Properties’ parking attendants often give incorrect and misleading instructions when our guests seek help in getting unlimited free parking.” Jackson’s, operated by Great American Restaurants, opened in the Town Center in 2008. Restaurants and other businesses within the Town Center have claimed major decreases in business since the paid parking system went into place. An organized protest that took place earlier this month saw hundreds of participants from throughout the community. Boston Properties has said the impact of paid parking on Town Center business has been “far less” than claimed. “We did not want to have to sue and we tried to work with Boston Properties to address our concerns and our rights under the lease to give our customers free and hassle-free parking, both before and after Boston Properties implemented this parking system. But they were uncompromising and appeared disinterested in working with us to provide our guests a better experience at Reston Town Center,” said Jon Norton, CEO of Great American Restaurants, in the announcement. “It appears to us that they are focused on maximizing revenue instead of honoring the spirit and terms of our lease, and seem unconcerned with the impact their system has had on the Town Center. It is disappointing that they have spent so much time bolstering a PR campaign rather than working with us to fulfill their lease obligations.” We have reached out to Boston Properties for comment and this article will be updated with any response that is received.
lion Posted March 26, 2017 Posted March 26, 2017 Went over to RTC last Sunday to pick some salads at Sweet Green for lunch and the parking garage was pretty empty. Actually parked downstairs and some lights came on from the motion detectors since no one was down there. In the past, the the garage was filled with Sunday Brunch business. Also now going to the local 'strip malls' like Plaza America or South Lakes Shopping Center is challenging for parking. These smaller business areas seem to be picking up the slack and unfortunately were not designed to have the parking lots as full as they get these days.
Ferris Bueller Posted March 28, 2017 Author Posted March 28, 2017 RTC Merchants Planning Town Hall, Second Protest March in Fight Against Paid Parking by Dave Emke — March 28, 2017 at 4:00 pm1 Comment The Reston Merchants Association is not backing down in its opposition to paid parking at Reston Town Center, which it says has drastically hurt business. In an announcement Tuesday, the group’s organizers says they plan to hold a town hall-style meeting in May to discuss the issue. Merchants, community leaders, elected officials and more will be invited to speak and take questions from citizens. RTC owner Boston Properties, which implemented the paid-parking system in January, will also be invited to participate in the event, according to the announcement. In addition, the Merchants Association says it plans to work with community organizers to hold a march and rally in June to protest the paid-parking system. A march earlier this month, organized by citizen group Reston United, saw hundreds of participants. “The community has spoken and they are fed up with paid parking,” said Aaron Gordon, owner of Red Velvet Cupcakery and the head of the Merchants Association. “Not only is it expensive, but the app that people have to download to park is onerous, complicated and an invasion of their privacy. People don’t want to hand over their license plate number and credit card information to Boston Properties. As a result of all of this, we see that many of our best customers are boycotting RTC altogether and others have said they will never come back.” Last week, one restaurant in the Town Center — Jackson’s Mighty Fine Food & Lucky Lounge — filed a lawsuit against Boston Properties, arguing their lease agreement was violated by the paid-parking system and that it has been an impediment to conducting business. In Tuesday’s announcement, the Reston Merchants Association says its supports the suit and “is likely to seek similar legal action for similar reasons in the following month.” Boston Properties has so far not backed down from the system, which charges $2/hour in parking garages Monday through Friday and $3/hour for on-street parking Monday through Saturday. It has said the impact of the system on Reston Town Center business has been “far less” than claimed. The Reston Merchants Association, however, says retailers and restaurateurs have seen “sinking sales figures” and a “precipitous drop-off in foot traffic” in 2017. They say that is directly related to Boston Properties’ paid-parking initiative. Figures reported Tuesday by the Merchants Association, which they say were provided with consent from companies’ owners or corporate officials, include: Red Velvet Cupcakery reports March sales are down 19 percent. It projects a yearly drop of 25%. Big Bowl reports sales down 26 percent in March. Sales were down 15 percent in February, and it is down 4,500 customers over last year. Busara reports March sales are down 18 percent. The Counter Burger reports March sales are down approximately 24 perent. Dawn Price Baby reports February sales were down 18 percent, while its other locations were up an average of 20 percent for the same month. The Eyewear Gallery reports February sales were down 29 percent. Potomac River Running reports March sales are down 37 percent, while its seven other locations sales are higher. Edibles Incredible Desserts reports February sales were down 28 percent. Ted’s Bulletin reports sales are down significantly on the year, while other locations have even or higher sales compared to last year. “Paid parking is simply killing business, ruining our reputation and destroying the sense of community that has always been the pride of Reston,” Gordon said. “The merchants are suffering across the board from the greedy money-grab of one company and many of us are being driven out of business.” 1
iolaire Posted March 29, 2017 Posted March 29, 2017 15 hours ago, Ferris Bueller said: Figures reported Tuesday by the Merchants Association, which they say were provided with consent from companies’ owners or corporate officials, include: Red Velvet Cupcakery reports March sales are down 19 percent. It projects a yearly drop of 25%. Big Bowl reports sales down 26 percent in March. Sales were down 15 percent in February, and it is down 4,500 customers over last year. Busara reports March sales are down 18 percent. The Counter Burger reports March sales are down approximately 24 perent. Dawn Price Baby reports February sales were down 18 percent, while its other locations were up an average of 20 percent for the same month. The Eyewear Gallery reports February sales were down 29 percent. Potomac River Running reports March sales are down 37 percent, while its seven other locations sales are higher. Edibles Incredible Desserts reports February sales were down 28 percent. Ted’s Bulletin reports sales are down significantly on the year, while other locations have even or higher sales compared to last year. “Paid parking is simply killing business, ruining our reputation and destroying the sense of community that has always been the pride of Reston,” Gordon said. “The merchants are suffering across the board from the greedy money-grab of one company and many of us are being driven out of business.” Good statistics to support their complaint.
Ferris Bueller Posted March 29, 2017 Author Posted March 29, 2017 Without any basis other than personal observation - this past weekend I went to RTC, no parking fee since it was on a Saturday and Sunday - the place was a virtual ghost town. While i did not spend a significant amount of time there, perhaps weather-related, but the lack of street traffic and people/families walking around was very noticeable. The numbers quoted in the article are significant and, if nothing else, signify the vast numbers of people who are not visiting, hence spending $$ at the RTC. Sadly the retailers and employees are the one's paying the price, for a situation they have little or no control over.
Ferris Bueller Posted March 30, 2017 Author Posted March 30, 2017 The latest and greatest...you just cannot make this stuff up... Boston Properties Says It Is ‘Very Confident’ It Will Prevail in Parking Legal Battles by Dave Emke — March 29, 2017 at 4:35 pm13 Comments In a statement sent to media Wednesday afternoon, Boston Properties responded to recent developments in the ongoing saga regarding paid parking at Reston Town Center. The statement comes after a lawsuit filed by Jackson’s restaurant, an announcement by Reston Merchants Association of continued declining sales, and a statement from the Reston Citizens Association denouncing BXP’s apparent unwillingness to compromise. Released through public relations firm Fallston Group, Boston Properties’ statement claims: There is “variability” in month-to-month performance of RTC merchants. Some have reported increases in sales in the past 90 days, some have reported flat or decreasing sales. Boston Properties continues to work with retailers to provide customer support, parking validations and other assistance regarding the paid parking implementation. Planned enhancements of the system include the addition of change machines to better accommodate cash customers, as well as improvements to payment kiosks. Car counts represent “high adoption rates” of the paid-parking policies. More than 112,000 downloads of the ParkRTC app have been made, including 22,000 in the past week. The $8 million of annual paid-parking revenue estimated by groups including the Reston Citizens Association is “outdated and inaccurate,” and true expectations are “significantly less.” Boston Properties is committed to reinvesting a comparable value to its profit from paid parking back into the Town Center and the Reston community through ongoing maintenance, capital improvements, community events and charitable donations. BXP is “very confident” it will prevail against all legal challenges related to paid parking. The full text of the statement is below: Boston Properties is prohibited by the terms of most of its leases from commenting on the specific sales results of its individual tenants. In any given year, Reston Town Center’s retail tenants see fluctuations in sales for a variety of reasons, from weather to seasonality to marketplace conditions. Additionally, monthly sales trends can vary widely among those tenants, depending on their business model, marketplace adaptation and sales tactics. Based on the information provided to date under the terms of our leases, we have seen variability in the month to month performance of the merchants at Reston Town Center prior to the introduction of paid parking. That trend has continued over the past 90 days, with some tenants reporting sales are up and others reporting flat or decreased sales. Boston Properties has always been committed to working with its tenants for mutual success. Since paid parking was implemented, we have worked with our retailers to provide customer support, parking validations and other assistance as the Reston Town Center complex adjusts to paid parking. (As a reminder, parking in the garages is free on weekends and select holidays, and parking remains free at all times for retail employees.) Boston Properties continues to monitor paid parking adoption and will consider all appropriate policy and technology amendments as needed to ensure the long-term success of the Town Center. For instance, upcoming planned enhancements include the addition of change machines to better accommodate cash customers and improvements to the payment kiosks. Additionally, Boston Properties’ car count continues to reflect high adoption rates of the new parking policies by the community. The ParkRTC app has been downloaded more than 112,000 times — with 22,000+ people signing up in the last week alone — and to date, nearly 85,000 individuals have utilized the app to pay for parking. Since paid parking was rolled out in January, garage usage by non-office tenants have steadily increased, week over week. Regarding the $8 million annual revenue number that has been repeatedly referenced, the estimated figure was from 2011 and was based on very different operating assumptions. It is both outdated and inaccurate. While Boston Properties does not report property-specific performance, revenue expectations are significantly less, as the vast majority of visitors and tenants are either validated or do not pay for parking. Further, Boston Properties is committed to reinvesting a comparable value to its profit from paid parking back into the Town Center and the Reston community through ongoing maintenance, capital improvements, community events and charitable donations. Finally, regarding recent legal action, Boston Properties is very confident it will prevail against any and all legal challenges related to paid parking. Much of the information provided in the statement echoes previous statements from Boston Properties regarding the paid-parking initiative.
lion Posted March 30, 2017 Posted March 30, 2017 Thanks for the update Ferris Bueller! I had a similar experience on a recent Sunday picking up some lunch. Actually parked in the basement and it was empty. Prior to the paid parking situation going at brunch/lunchtime on a Sunday we were met with a full garage. I listed to the Kojo Nnamdi show episode devoted to this issue and was surprised by Cathy Hudgins passive aggressive support of paid parking in the suburbs. Makes me wonder if Boston Properties will hold out until Tysons Corner flips to paid parking. Is this the trend for the suburbs outside the beltway? Regardless, the urbanification of the suburbs appears to be on the horizon along the Silver Line corridor and business people are extremely happy with that.
Ferris Bueller Posted March 30, 2017 Author Posted March 30, 2017 You bet lion, glad to update as things develop. I thought this a progressive topic, although starting in Reston, may be the precursor to Tysons paid parking and whatever similar objections it may bring. Reston is not Tysons, at least not yet. I too heard the Kojo show and it is apparent there is political influence/interference, but I am not so sure in the best interests of the constituents. It is a shame to see the corridor transformed so drastically. Change can be good, but the recent continued explosion in rental units/condos puts extreme stress on schools, roads, infrastructure etc. The "build it they will come" plan seems to disregard all the components it takes to support the increased residential and retail population...
Ferris Bueller Posted March 31, 2017 Author Posted March 31, 2017 Report: Leidos Considering Leaving Town Center for Reston Metro Plaza by RestonNow.com — March 31, 2017 at 11:30 am0 Comments Defense contractor Leidos is considering leaving its current headquarters in Reston Town Center (11951 Freedom Drive) for a new home, the Washington Business Journal reports. Citing sources close to the company, the WBJ says the expansion in workforce brought about by the company’s merger with Lockheed Martin last year has it reevaluating its space needs. Leidos employees about 33,000 people worldwide, according to information it provides to investors. According to the WBJ report, Comstock Properties’ 1900 Reston Metro Plaza is among the properties being considered as a potential new headquarters for Leidos. Still seeking an anchor tenant, the site was considered by Nestlé before that company chose Arlington for its U.S. headquarters. The Helmut Jahn-designed building, adjacent to the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station, is currently in its final stages of construction. WBJ says Boston Properties, owner of Leidos’ current home, has proposed new headquarters space for the firm as well.
Al Dente Posted March 31, 2017 Posted March 31, 2017 On 3/29/2017 at 8:13 PM, Ferris Bueller said: There is “variability” in month-to-month performance of RTC merchants. Some have reported increases in sales in the past 90 days, some have reported flat or decreasing sales. The Merchant Association's stats are year over year, not month over month. No shit that there's month to month variability. 1
lion Posted April 1, 2017 Posted April 1, 2017 On 3/30/2017 at 8:36 AM, Ferris Bueller said: You bet lion, glad to update as things develop. I thought this a progressive topic, although starting in Reston, may be the precursor to Tysons paid parking and whatever similar objections it may bring. Reston is not Tysons, at least not yet. I too heard the Kojo show and it is apparent there is political influence/interference, but I am not so sure in the best interests of the constituents. It is a shame to see the corridor transformed so drastically. Change can be good, but the recent continued explosion in rental units/condos puts extreme stress on schools, roads, infrastructure etc. The "build it they will come" plan seems to disregard all the components it takes to support the increased residential and retail population... It reminds me of the issue with the Reston Golf Course being sold to developers. How can the infrastructure of Reston support the increase number of people living here? Additionally, all of the home owners who bought property on the golf course for that exact reason will be forced to deal with substantial change.
Ferris Bueller Posted April 23, 2017 Author Posted April 23, 2017 It appears from a recent announcement that IceBerry is now closing on April 30th after 10 years at Reston Town Center. Nice little shop on the main street - obviously a saturated market being the frozen yogurt variety, but they did what they did well.
Dr. Delicious Posted April 25, 2017 Posted April 25, 2017 Tl;dr I thought it unfortunate that, while I only wanted to grab a quick lunch at Potbelly, I had to pay for parking to do so, and also that I had to pay for a full hour ($2) and didn't have the option of a shorter time period.
dcs Posted April 25, 2017 Posted April 25, 2017 1 hour ago, Dr. Delicious said: Tl;dr I thought it unfortunate that, while I only wanted to grab a quick lunch at Potbelly, I had to pay for parking to do so, and also that I had to pay for a full hour ($2) and didn't have the option of a shorter time period. A few weeks ago I watched a guy illegally park on Freedom Drive, run in to Potbelly and place his order, run back outside and sit in his car, then run back inside when his order was ready. I assume this was to avoid the $2.00 parking fee you mentioned. It was off-hours so there was not much of a line. I am not sure this strategy would be as effective if tried during a lunch rush. Maybe if they had an app where you could order ahead and pay like Starbucks has it would work.
Ferris Bueller Posted April 26, 2017 Author Posted April 26, 2017 ...but wait there's more. Boston Properties CEO: We Want to ‘Ensure That Reston Remains a Preeminent Location’ by Dave Emke — April 26, 2017 at 12:30 pm10 Comments In response to a question during the company’s quarterly earnings conference call Wednesday, Boston Properties CEO Owen Thomas said the paid-parking situation at Reston Town Center will continue to be evaluated. Thomas was asked about “an interesting article” about the situation and tenants’ concerns about business being down. In response, the CEO said: “We did implement paid parking at Reston Town Center at the beginning of the year. As you know, Reston is an urban location, it has structure parking primarily, and there is going to be the arrival of mass transit to the region. It’s certainly not uncommon for areas with this kind of density to have paid parking. We are utilizing a state-of-the-art parking systemthat is being used in cities all over the U.S., and actually the use of these systems is growing around the U.S. In Reston specifically, the system has been adopted by 140,000 users so far. Now that being said, as you suggest, certainly not all of our customers — some, but certainly not all of our customers — have expressed some concerns about the system or simply having to pay for parking, and we are continuing to evaluate our execution and make adjustments to ensure that Reston remains a preeminent location for business and residents in Northern Virginia.” Merchants in the Town Center have reported business to be down as much as 40 percent since paid parking went into effect Jan. 3, and an organized protest of the system in March drew hundreds of participants. Jackson’s restaurant has filed a lawsuit over the implementation, and other businesses have threatened the same; however, Boston Properties says it is confident it will prevail in any legal battles.
MarkS Posted April 27, 2017 Posted April 27, 2017 I haven't been to RTO since paid parking started. Just ate at Not your Average Joes. Food is average but parking was easy. Cava which is opening in same shopiing center should clean up though I feel they are still average.
Ferris Bueller Posted April 27, 2017 Author Posted April 27, 2017 Apparently the Urban designation is being used to justify the instigation of paid parking. The place is dead during the week, even in the early nighttime, typically, happy-hour prime-time. It appears the lack of patronage at RTC now is having a positive impact on the nearby businesses but best I can tell no real #'s have been provided on the positive impact, just observations and speculation.
lion Posted May 2, 2017 Posted May 2, 2017 On 4/27/2017 at 6:54 PM, Ferris Bueller said: Apparently the Urban designation is being used to justify the instigation of paid parking. The place is dead during the week, even in the early nighttime, typically, happy-hour prime-time. It appears the lack of patronage at RTC now is having a positive impact on the nearby businesses but best I can tell no real #'s have been provided on the positive impact, just observations and speculation. Nearby areas like South Lakes shopping center have full parking lots a majority of time. It is interesting to me that Willard's moved into the Home Depot shopping area which on a recent visit even an hour before lunch time was filled with people. Also Kung Fu Tea opened up in Hunter Woods Shopping Center. Already have gone three times. They were doing good business. Frankly, it doesn't make any sense for Boston Properties to not have a business like Kung Fu Tea at the RTC because it would add value. I'm sure Kung Fu Tea got a good deal in rent since Petco left that location.
wristband Posted May 14, 2017 Posted May 14, 2017 We also have not returned to RTC since the parking charge was instituted. Our weekly lunch & dinner visits are kaput - nice knowing ya Mon Ami Gabi, Passionfish, Clydes, Barcelona, Il fornaio, Pitango, Ted's. Sad to say, the lack of patronage may knock sense into the property firm that imposed the charge but so many have driven away...we may never return even if the charge is rescinded. Plenty of terrific options elsewhere in NoVa w/out the aggro.
Ferris Bueller Posted May 15, 2017 Author Posted May 15, 2017 Construction Workers Avoiding Reston Town Center Garages, Clogging Up Streets, Locals Say Boston Properties didn't deny that RTC workers are denied use of the garages, but said they aren't aware of any issues. By Dan Taylor (Patch Staff) - May 11, 2017 12:09 pm ET RESTON, VA — Construction workers at Reston Town Center are avoiding the paid parking garages and parking along streets nearby, irritating residents and businesses alike, locals are claiming. But RTC manager Boston Properties says they're not aware of any issues. Anti-ParkRTC Facebook group "Reston United" posted a picture this week of a sign supposedly put up by Best Buy that reads "No Town Center Parking, No Construction Parking, No Commuter Parking, Towing Strictly Enforced." "Ridiculous that Boston Properties can't even provide parking to their construction workers who are building THEIR buildings," the caption by Reston United reads. "I'd watch the construction workers park in the Best Buy shopping center every morning and walk over to their job site at The Signature. I'd be shaking my head thinking 'this is unbelievable.'" Suzanne Zurn, one of the leading critics of ParkRTC, told Patch that she has noticed construction workers who are building BXP's new apartment building at Reston Town Center are parking in the area of Temporary Road and North Shore Drive rather than in RTC's parking garages, and that "dozens of construction workers can be seen coming and going from there." They're hard to miss because of their clothing and safety gear, she said. It appears that Boston Properties does indeed require that workers park in areas near RTC rather than in the garages themselves. Kathy Walsh, a spokeswoman for Fallston Group, which respresents BXP, told Patch that "approved and permitted Reston Town Center construction workers have use of a free parking area contiguous to Reston Town Center while working onsite." She added that Boston Properties was "not aware of any issues or complaints regarding offsite street parking issues."
Ferris Bueller Posted May 15, 2017 Author Posted May 15, 2017 Boston Properties: Reston Construction Workers Have Ample Parking, We've Handled It BXP says as soon as they heard complaints about construction workers parking on streets around RTC, they reached out to the contractor. By Dan Taylor (Patch Staff) - May 12, 2017 10:53 am ET RESTON, VA — Boston Properties told Patch Friday that they've heard the concerns coming from Reston residents about construction workers clogging up area streets, and have reached out to the contractor employing them to make sure there aren't any problems in the future. Patch reported Thursday that locals were complaining that construction workers at Reston Town Center don't appear to have access to RTC garages and are therefore parking on nearby streets, prompting at least one business to put up a sign telling them not to park there. Kathy Walsh of Fallston Group, which represents Boston Properties, told Patch that it was simply a miscommunication: construction workers have access to a free parking lot near RTC with several hundred spots, and shouldn't have to park on nearby streets. "As soon as Boston Properties was made aware of the issue, they reached out to the contractor, who addressed the issue with foremen, just to remind them of the parking guidelines," Walsh said. She said BXP doesn't want the workers parking at RTC garages because they don't want them to "impact the availability of the parking garages for patrons," and that the free parking lot should have ample parking for them. Now that workers have been reminded of parking guidelines and the free lot, it shouldn't be an issue in the future, she said.
genericeric Posted May 15, 2017 Posted May 15, 2017 Visited RTC recently for the first time since the payment system was implemented. It was dead on a Thursday night at 5:30. Really, really dead. Most of the street traffic consisted of the security guards checking plates and writing tickets. My favorite part was when a security person was placing a parking ticket on a car and the woman came up screaming "NO! NO! I work for Boston Properites, don't give me a ticket!" The ticket was removed. I don't mind paying a nominal fee for parking. I mind the friction it causes in the retail experience - meaning if I can slide my cc in a meter and be done in 15 seconds, fine. If I have to download an app, create an account, store cc information, or go through a painful five minute phone call - not so fine. $6 for two hours also seems a bit rich in the suburbs when the garages and most of the street parking spots were vacant. 1
Ferris Bueller Posted May 19, 2017 Author Posted May 19, 2017 Another update, this time with a video courtesy of a local news station. RTC Security Kicks Out Television Crew During ParkRTC Report WHAG was reporting on the controversy over paid parking when security told them that filming was "no longer" allowed at Reston Town Center. The Latest and Greatest video for RTC Parking Story
genericeric Posted May 31, 2017 Posted May 31, 2017 Sounds like Boston Properties has somewhat given in and is allowing free evening parking and an hour free during the day, according to this story.
Ferris Bueller Posted May 31, 2017 Author Posted May 31, 2017 Finally - progress - BXP: Reston Town Center Parking To Become Free For First Hour and After 5 P.M. Reston Town Center NEW Parking policy 2
Ferris Bueller Posted May 31, 2017 Author Posted May 31, 2017 Another perspective from Boston Properties several years ago (2011). If you have 4 minutes and care to watch this video it is an interesting contrast to 2017.
DonRocks Posted June 1, 2017 Posted June 1, 2017 5 hours ago, genericeric said: Sounds like Boston Properties has somewhat given in and is allowing free evening parking and an hour free during the day, according to this story. Cynical Don Sez ... "If they could, they would (present tense). If they can, they will (future tense)." The first order of business is to divert attention away from the current shit-storm. Man, I need to move to New Zealand or something.
PollyG Posted June 1, 2017 Posted June 1, 2017 Free evening parking was such an obvious solution. The RTC restaurants have a fairly captive audience at lunch but paid parking makes them a less attractive option for dinner.
DaveO Posted June 1, 2017 Posted June 1, 2017 12 hours ago, Ferris Bueller said: Another perspective from Boston Properties several years ago (2011). If you have 4 minutes and care to watch this video it is an interesting contrast to 2017. That link goes to the wrong page. Do you have a different link from the 2011 source?
Ferris Bueller Posted June 1, 2017 Author Posted June 1, 2017 13 hours ago, Ferris Bueller said: Another perspective from Boston Properties several years ago (2011). If you have 4 minutes and care to watch this video it is an interesting contrast to 2017. DaveO - thanks for pointing out, I believe it corrected now.
Ferris Bueller Posted June 1, 2017 Author Posted June 1, 2017 One more piece of information based on a poll after yesterday's news: Majority Say They’ll Go to RTC — With our story Wednesday about changes to parking fees at Reston Town Center, we posted a poll asking whether those changes will make readers more likely to visit the Town Center. With nearly 900 votes on the unscientific poll, about two-thirds of responders said they would. [Reston Now]
DaveO Posted June 1, 2017 Posted June 1, 2017 On 5/31/2017 at 3:40 PM, genericeric said: Sounds like Boston Properties has somewhat given in and is allowing free evening parking and an hour free during the day, according to this story. It appears that Boston Properties changed their minds (at least partially) as they realized and understood that the "argument" from their own perspective became one of more money or less money. I bet they realized they were going to lose retail tenants....and not just a few but many. I suspect installing those parking fees and its implementation was killing business at RTC. I also suspect they didn't want to buy into that reaction until enough months had gone by and they saw the month after month sales impacts on tenants. 21 hours ago, Ferris Bueller said: Another perspective from Boston Properties several years ago (2011). If you have 4 minutes and care to watch this video it is an interesting contrast to 2017. I watched the video. I think the first speaker Ray Ritchie was also the person that might have first articulated years ago about a proposed increase in parking fees . Additionally, the non Boston Properties person in this promotional video referenced the quality of their efforts, called them one of the premier developers in the nation and a great match. I'd agree with that assessment of a match between Reston and Boston Properties. I also knew Ray from decades ago. Definitely one of the people with the most integrity and better people to work with in the commercial real estate industry in the DC region. Regardless they are a huge business and a huge developer and somehow their financial team and top decision makers (including Ray or not) decided parking fees would be a great way to make a lot of extra money off of a hugely successful development (let alone this stuff about issues with Metro takers or not). They were wrong. That happens. Now they have reversed their thinking and decision making in part if not in full. They saw this decision and its implementation were killing the golden goose. Good for the tenants, good for the folks that work in RTC, good for the Reston and neighbors that they can now go there without most if not all of the Pain In the Arse garbage that Boston Properties installed. Hopefully RTC is full of people walking, people watching, dining and shopping in the near or immediate future. If not they better get rid of all the fees ASAP...and even with that I'm sure a certain percentage of people who were once regular visitors at RTC might have found better alternatives and might not be back. Its been fun to watch. So glad I haven't been a retail tenant in RTC. I bet this first part of 2017 has been miserable.
lion Posted June 4, 2017 Posted June 4, 2017 It is good news that BP decided to modify some of their parking polices but I think some damage has been done. Peoples' habits have had six months to adapt to going other places and more importantly explore new places. When the Reston Metro Station opens up some of the volume of traffic will increase and make up that deficiency but probably not in the same way Tysons Corners 1 mall has had happened.
DonRocks Posted June 4, 2017 Posted June 4, 2017 41 minutes ago, lion said: It is good news that BP decided to modify some of their parking polices but I think some damage has been done. Peoples' habits have had six months to adapt to going other places and more importantly explore new places. When the Reston Metro Station opens up some of the volume of traffic will increase and make up that deficiency but probably not in the same way Tysons Corners 1 mall has had happened. A *lot* of very rich, very connected real estate developers are investing a *lot* of money and energy into making Tysons Corner "the next Manhattan" - it wouldn't surprise me at all, largely because I'll be deceased, for it to be *absolutely huge* in 2075. And you know whose land is going to be worth an incredible amount of money? Westwood Country Club. "Save Evans Farm," my eye. Those bumper stickers will be collectors' items one day, if they aren't already.
DaveO Posted June 4, 2017 Posted June 4, 2017 1 hour ago, DonRocks said: A *lot* of very rich, very connected real estate developers are investing a *lot* of money and energy into making Tysons Corner "the next Manhattan" - it wouldn't surprise me at all, largely because I'll be deceased, for it to be *absolutely huge* in 2075. And you know whose land is going to be worth an incredible amount of money? Westwood Country Club. "Save Evans Farm," my eye. Those bumper stickers will be collectors' items one day, if they aren't already. One non real estate investor who has made a killing and who bought so long ago that you can multiply the "killing" by 10 is Clyde's I think developing Tyson's is going to take decades and decades. In fact it won't be the next Roslyn to Ballston as I believe the zoning densities are lower.
Ferris Bueller Posted June 5, 2017 Author Posted June 5, 2017 It will be interesting to hear updates in the coming weeks or months from those who may venture back to RTC with the modified parking policy in effect starting tomorrow. I have mentioned to several people to gauge their reaction and sadly few knew about it. I agree with lion that the damage done and it may take some time to change peoples' habits after 6 months of seeking other options and behavioral change. It is likely many will not come back or if they do on a more modified basis. As one who frequented the RTC for the past 15+ years on a weekly basis, I have been there less than 10 times since January. I know I am not the only one and the apparent declines stated from the retail (restaurant/bar/store) establishments seem significant. You also have to factor in with the concession of an hour free as well as after 5 PM, the people who work at RTC in offices or for the retail sector are still being charged, so the BP conglomerate is still seeing significant revenue from forced parking that was not there previously.
Ferris Bueller Posted June 13, 2017 Author Posted June 13, 2017 Restaurants Offering Specials in Celebration of Reston Town Center Parking Fee Changes RTC Restaurant Specials for Parking Changes
Ferris Bueller Posted June 14, 2017 Author Posted June 14, 2017 ...but wait there's more. Jackson’s Granted Preliminary Injunction in Boston Properties Parking Suit Jackson's RTC Parking update The Injunction 1
lion Posted June 18, 2017 Posted June 18, 2017 RTC was pretty busy for Father's Day lunch today. I wouldn't say as busy as in the past or as busy for a Mother's Day.
Ferris Bueller Posted June 19, 2017 Author Posted June 19, 2017 I have heard from misc business owners that business is still way off - You have to figure the initial costs for the "advanced" parking system as well as the contracts for all the monitoring and ticketing staff, signage, and that ParkRTC app, had to cost a decent amount of $$ that would have been recouped over a specified amount of time with revenue of the paid parking system. Tough situation for the business owners, directly affected plus all the others who frequent or used to frequent RTC.
Ferris Bueller Posted June 21, 2017 Author Posted June 21, 2017 Decided to venture out to RTC and grab a quick bite at Uncle Julio's before a meeting this evening. On both the way in, parking by the Orange Garage, and on the way out I encountered several people walking around aimlessly trying to figure out how the download the "ParkRTC" app and pay for parking. Since it was 6 PM when we arrived and 7:15 PM when we left I simply mentioned to them parking was free after 5 PM. People were obviously relieved - new signage for the FREE after 5 PM may be in the works, but as currently posted it is not nearly enough. In any case, the RTC was pretty busy for a Summer Tuesday and Jackson's, Mon Ami, Uncle Julio's and The Counter were all decently busy...the busiest I have noticed in months. 1
genericeric Posted June 27, 2017 Posted June 27, 2017 On 6/20/2017 at 8:20 PM, Ferris Bueller said: Decided to venture out to RTC and grab a quick bite at Uncle Julio's before a meeting this evening. On both the way in, parking by the Orange Garage, and on the way out I encountered several people walking around aimlessly trying to figure out how the download the "ParkRTC" app and pay for parking. Since it was 6 PM when we arrived and 7:15 PM when we left I simply mentioned to them parking was free after 5 PM. People were obviously relieved - new signage for the FREE after 5 PM may be in the works, but as currently posted it is not nearly enough. In any case, the RTC was pretty busy for a Summer Tuesday and Jackson's, Mon Ami, Uncle Julio's and The Counter were all decently busy...the busiest I have noticed in months. As of last week when I was there, the app was still accepting payments after 5 as well. Seems that for the time being, the proverbial tree has fallen in the empty forest.
Ferris Bueller Posted July 12, 2017 Author Posted July 12, 2017 PassionFish Reston Is Helping Customers Evade ParkRTC, Too They join Mon Ami Gabi in a quest to reignite business at RTC. Reston PassionFish Helping with Parking at RTC
squidsdc Posted July 15, 2017 Posted July 15, 2017 I'm surprised no one has mentioned the closing of Il Fornaio (or perhaps I missed it.) Shocked, but not shocked...
Ferris Bueller Posted July 22, 2017 Author Posted July 22, 2017 "Reston Town Center Restaurants: Business Is Improving after Parking Change" by Dan Taylor on patch.com PR Firm that handled Paid Parking has stepped aside.
DonRocks Posted July 22, 2017 Posted July 22, 2017 19 hours ago, Ferris Bueller said: "Reston Town Center Restaurants: Business Is Improving after Parking Change" by Dan Taylor on patch.com PR Firm that handled Paid Parking has stepped aside. I was just here three days ago - it's *amazing* what a zoo this place has turned into.
Ferris Bueller Posted July 25, 2017 Author Posted July 25, 2017 ...and now Reston Association is weighing in. RA Board to Discuss Reston Town Center Parking at Meeting This Week
Ferris Bueller Posted July 25, 2017 Author Posted July 25, 2017 ParkRTC Kiosks Overhauled At Reston Town Center According to article, 200,000 people have downloaded the ParkRTC app. This # appears to be pretty high given the controversy surrounding the roll-out and opposition to initial release.
Keithstg Posted July 27, 2017 Posted July 27, 2017 Having watched this thread with great amusement since it started, I was anxious to experience the alleged horrors of paid parking at RTC. I spent a total of about two minutes downloading the software, setting up my account and paying for the day's parking ($8). Couldn't have been an easier experience, and parking is less costly than my office building in Tysons. Now that parking is free after 5pm, what on earth is/ was the big deal? RTC is a faux community, populated with chain restaurants, office buildings and apartments. Given that businesses can validate parking and that parking is free during off peak periods I still fail to see the reason for the tempest in the teapot that has been so breathlessly reported on.
DonRocks Posted July 27, 2017 Posted July 27, 2017 21 minutes ago, Keithstg said: RTC is a faux community, populated with chain restaurants, office buildings and apartments. Given that businesses can validate parking and that parking is free during off peak periods I still fail to see the reason for the tempest in the teapot that at least one of us has so breathlessly reported on. Yes, but don't forget that it's because of this outrage that the situation has ameliorated - also, Tysons is (or will be) *much* more "Manhattan-like" than Reston. My guess is that long-term residents of Reston got hosed the most, because they didn't sign up for this nightmare - I remember when "downtown Reston" was essentially *just* the Hyatt.
Keithstg Posted July 27, 2017 Posted July 27, 2017 10 minutes ago, DonRocks said: My guess is that long-term residents of Reston got hosed the most, because they didn't sign up for this nightmare - I remember when "downtown Reston" was essentially *just* the Hyatt. I remember that as well - it's probably been 13 years since I was last out here. I also think you may be right about long-term residents, but wouldn't they be more likely to park off-peak? I can't say I have much sympathy for those who had years of free parking for second and third cars, but that may just be me being crotchety.
Al Dente Posted July 28, 2017 Posted July 28, 2017 On 7/27/2017 at 9:20 AM, DonRocks said: also, Tysons is (or will be) *much* more "Manhattan-like" than Reston. I've read your mentions of this before. What do you mean by Tysons becoming Manhattan-like? And how in the world will Reston be like that but less so than Tysons? Will Springfield become Miami-like? Rockville L.A.-like? Fairfax Chicago-like?
DonRocks Posted July 28, 2017 Posted July 28, 2017 1 hour ago, Al Dente said: I've read your mentions of this before. What do you mean by Tysons becoming Manhattan-like? And how in the world will Reston be like that but less so than Tysons? Will Springfield become Miami-like? Rockville L.A.-like? Fairfax Chicago-like? I'm just parroting what the real-estate developers are touting. I can easily envision Tysons Corner having 80-story buildings 50 years from now. You can find some of this on Google - here's one article. Here's another. When I was growing up, you could drive from White Oak to Tysons Corner in about 20 minutes - if you wanted to go to the mall or the Holiday Inn, which were about the only things there. My feeling is this: Why will the real-estate developers of 2030 be any less ambitious (read: throw up the tallest, ugliest buildings you can get away with, and then go retire in Florida leaving the rest of the world to deal with your garbage) than the ones of 2020? Likewise 2040, 2050, etc.
Ferris Bueller Posted August 19, 2017 Author Posted August 19, 2017 Reston Town Center Merchants Are Still Getting Crushed By Paid Parking: Claim Revenue Still down @ RTC
lion Posted August 21, 2017 Posted August 21, 2017 On 7/28/2017 at 10:23 AM, DonRocks said: I'm just parroting what the real-estate developers are touting. I can easily envision Tysons Corner having 80-story buildings 50 years from now. I was coming back from DC last night about 10:30 and got off from the toll road at Wiehle Avenue. Amazingly the new high rise building was lite up with purple highlights. Over the past couple of years have seen buildings in Tysons like that kind of accenting but the first for the sleepy little town of Reston. On 8/18/2017 at 10:23 PM, Ferris Bueller said: Reston Town Center Merchants Are Still Getting Crushed By Paid Parking: Claim Revenue Still down @ RTC Still feels awkward parking at the Reston Town Center. Last weekend we actually went to Lake Anne for lunch at the Greek place and it was pretty full. Also the entire complex was teaming with people from the Brew House to the coffee place. I think a good number of people are just going other places.
DonRocks Posted August 22, 2017 Posted August 22, 2017 On 8/21/2017 at 9:58 AM, lion said: I was coming back from DC last night about 10:30 and got off from the toll road at Wiehle Avenue. Amazingly the new high rise building was lite up with purple highlights. Over the past couple of years have seen buildings in Tysons like that kind of accenting but the first for the sleepy little town of Reston. As you get off on Wiehle coming from DC, the office complex immediately to the driver's right is going to be torn down (so I was told by an ex-tenant). Across Wiehe Avenue from that, there's obviously a building well on its way to completion (is this the one you're referring to?) If you turn left on Wiehle, then take a right on Sunrise Valley Drive (where Wiehle dead-ends), you'll eventually hit a pretty large pocket of buildings being constructed. I'm not sure this is related to Tysons so much as it is the Metro, but I guess it's all interconnected. Businesses are going to want to be close to Dulles Airport, and quickly accessible by Metro - I wonder if the same rationale will ever be realized at BWI airport (I don't see how it can't be, if enough years go by - both I-95 and rail lines are already in place; hopefully they'll leave the BW Parkway alone). Personally, I think self-driving, electric cars will be siphoning a *lot* of business away from Metro Rail at some point, and real estate developers aren't thinking long-term (then again, when have they ever?)
Ferris Bueller Posted August 25, 2017 Author Posted August 25, 2017 Paid Parking At Reston Town Center Must End: Merchant ...updated article from Reston Patch Mouthpiece for Reston Town Center Merchants Says His Business Is on the Outs Red Velvet Cupcakes update
lion Posted August 29, 2017 Posted August 29, 2017 On 8/22/2017 at 10:55 AM, DonRocks said: As you get off on Wiehle coming from DC, the office complex immediately to the driver's right is going to be torn down (so I was told by an ex-tenant). Across Wiehe Avenue from that, there's obviously a building well on its way to completion (is this the one you're referring to?) If you turn left on Wiehle, then take a right on Sunrise Valley Drive (where Wiehle dead-ends), you'll eventually hit a pretty large pocket of buildings being constructed. I'm not sure this is related to Tysons so much as it is the Metro, but I guess it's all interconnected. Businesses are going to want to be close to Dulles Airport, and quickly accessible by Metro - I wonder if the same rationale will ever be realized at BWI airport (I don't see how it can't be, if enough years go by - both I-95 and rail lines are already in place; hopefully they'll leave the BW Parkway alone). Personally, I think self-driving, electric cars will be siphoning a *lot* of business away from Metro Rail at some point, and real estate developers aren't thinking long-term (then again, when have they ever?) Yes the building on its way to completion. At night time it's lite up with small bluish lines perpendicular to the ground kind of like the multi-color one in Tysons. Reston has definitely changed in the past two years quite dramatically.
lion Posted August 29, 2017 Posted August 29, 2017 On 8/25/2017 at 2:16 PM, Ferris Bueller said: Paid Parking At Reston Town Center Must End: Merchant ...updated article from Reston Patch Mouthpiece for Reston Town Center Merchants Says His Business Is on the Outs Red Velvet Cupcakes update RTC has picked up on the evenings and weekends mainly due to the free parking again. I do think it will remain challenging for businesses in the RTC especially for places like Red Velvet Cupcakes. In a way Boston Properties is remaking it from Reston Town Center to Metro Town Center, RTC ->MTC. The Union Station of the West! All of the larger chains probably are renegotiating their rental agreements and BP will let the smaller units go for a bit while the new hotel and city block get developed. Personally 85% of our visits are just to Sweet Green these days. If they opened up another location nearby we would probably go there once a month if at all.
DaveO Posted August 29, 2017 Posted August 29, 2017 On 8/25/2017 at 2:16 PM, Ferris Bueller said: Paid Parking At Reston Town Center Must End: Merchant ...updated article from Reston Patch Mouthpiece for Reston Town Center Merchants Says His Business Is on the Outs Red Velvet Cupcakes update That is not only a sadly depressing article, but one that implies "putting the screws" to Red Velvet Cupcakes. If the landlord won't start "negotiating a lease" till Dec and his lease is up in May....well if he doesn't act elsewhere now....and there is no deal come Dec...then he won't be in business after May, no matter how fast he acts between Dec and May. Sneaky move by the landlord. Basically a middle finger to the tenant. As to the article there is a certain long term truth there: Once customers stop coming to a location...not all ever return. Some do...some don't. It will take a lot of time to build back customers and visitors. And all that falls on the landlord, not the tenants. A debacle.
Ferris Bueller Posted September 13, 2017 Author Posted September 13, 2017 How Complicated Is ParkRTC? This Sign Says It All A little dose of comedy now - Can't make this stuff up 1
lion Posted September 14, 2017 Posted September 14, 2017 19 hours ago, Ferris Bueller said: How Complicated Is ParkRTC? This Sign Says It All A little dose of comedy now - Can't make this stuff up Haven't seen that one yet!
Ferris Bueller Posted September 15, 2017 Author Posted September 15, 2017 There is another that is even better and more confusing, next time I go by there I will take a picture and post. Guaranteed to bring a smile and laugh to anyone who views it.
Ferris Bueller Posted September 27, 2017 Author Posted September 27, 2017 Another casualty - BIke Lane Bike Lane Leaving Reston Town Center; Muse Paintbar Ready To Fill the Space
lion Posted October 2, 2017 Posted October 2, 2017 Bike Lane was planning to leave as soon as the parking issues started. They are the best biking shop in the area so hopefully they won't have much down time especially since so much new business space is becoming available in the Reston area. We have been visiting more regularly to the RTC but usually on the weekends when parking is free. Traffic does seem to have picked up but still noticeably less than before the parking fiasco.
Ferris Bueller Posted October 22, 2017 Author Posted October 22, 2017 Sort of related due to density issues in and around RTC - meeting for Cap on Reston Density is tomorrow night should anyone wish to attend. Buses to Density Cap Meeting in Reston
Ferris Bueller Posted November 3, 2017 Author Posted November 3, 2017 Huge Number Of Reston Town Center Merchants Are Leaving:
DaveO Posted November 3, 2017 Posted November 3, 2017 45 minutes ago, Ferris Bueller said: Huge Number Of Reston Town Center Merchants Are Leaving: The article states there is 3.6 million square feet. Most of that has to be office space. If the retail center is losing 200,000 square feet of tenancy that is an enormous chunk of that space; 1/2, more than half, not sure. Me thinks that parking debacle screwed up a lot of tenants and pissed off a lot of them.
Ferris Bueller Posted November 3, 2017 Author Posted November 3, 2017 Likely the parking debacle is the cause - having very limited use for RTC, there are many alternatives in reasonable distance. At one time perhaps RTC was a destination, however as the suburban landscape is built out, expanded and modified, many other areas are creating their own Town Center-like hubs. One Loudoun is a great example, although top-heavy with eating establishments, easy to get in/out of and plenty of free parking. RTC may be an attractive place with all the new rental units, but apparently even they are struggling to fill the buildings. Future Reston Development is in Trouble. Developers Concerned about Multi-Family Overbuilding in Reston & Tysons There is substantial information out there about the continued challenges with all the "progress" being built in anticipation of the METRO expansion.
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