Parking no longer free on Saturdays in MoCo lots starting 7/8/23

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:The only progressive nature in MoCo is to get progressively worse.

You want to be able to store your private car for free on public property? That sounds like socialism.

dp.. free? We already pay a lot in taxes.

So you support free buses and Metro?

for certain groups, I do, actually.

We already pay taxes on cars, gas. I'm ok paying a small amount for county parking, but I do think that MoCo likes to tax everything and anything, and also spend on dumb things.

Ok, then free parking for certain groups too.

Your car and gas taxes do not come near covering the costs of roads and parking. Most of that comes out of general revenue, which comes from everyone who pays taxes, which is everyone.

we also pay property tax. Homeowners and car owners pay more taxes than those who don't own homes or cars. And that's fine, but it's not like people who drive cars are getting more "free" services than those who don't.

Homeowners and car owners also use more services than renters and non-car-owners.

Not to mention the parking fees are really nominal ($2/hour). If you're not going somewhere because you would have to pay $2/hour to park, it's not about the money. I mean, I get it, I also feel emotionally (irrationally) like I shouldn't have to pay for parking, so I generally park at a distance and walk the rest of the way, if possible. Or I go by Metro or bus or bike. The rational reality is that, in lots of places in the county, we're not paying enough for parking. We should be paying a lot more.

Using your logic, we should be paying to use public libraries too. Readers and library users consume more county and public resources!

I mean, it's certainly possible to have a general discussion about which county services should be free, and which county services should require fees. In such a discussion, "I think parking should be free for me on weekends because I pay gas taxes" would not contribute much, in my opinion.

Because you clearly do not own a small business or restaurant or have any vested interest in the financial health of areas like RTC, which for years has struggled with high vacancy rates due to patrons being turned off by parking issues. Oh what a brilliant plan, let's make it harder for people in the county to patronize businesses, as if MoCo's job killing philosophy isn't enough already.

You're probably some delusional cyclist who thinks people can bike everywhere and some nasty supporter of DIVE MoCo 2050. Just another jobs killing, tax increasing progressive Democrat endemic to either Silver Spring or Takoma Park.

Rockville Town Center is in the City of Rockville, and the parking garages in Rockville Town Center are privately owned and operated. Also, the City of Rockville is currently interested in improving access for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders, who do not need to use valuable land in Rockville Town Center for storing cars.

Right ..the bike lanes will make driving there very difficult so parking will not be the hard part.

People need to stop blaming parking for the reason why RTC is failing. That isn't it - there are other reasons.

How many times do you hear people say they aren't going to Pike and Rose because they have to pay for parking? Funny, that place is always crowded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only progressive nature in MoCo is to get progressively worse.

You want to be able to store your private car for free on public property? That sounds like socialism.

dp.. free? We already pay a lot in taxes.

So you support free buses and Metro?

for certain groups, I do, actually.

We already pay taxes on cars, gas. I'm ok paying a small amount for county parking, but I do think that MoCo likes to tax everything and anything, and also spend on dumb things.

Ok, then free parking for certain groups too.

Your car and gas taxes do not come near covering the costs of roads and parking. Most of that comes out of general revenue, which comes from everyone who pays taxes, which is everyone.

we also pay property tax. Homeowners and car owners pay more taxes than those who don't own homes or cars. And that's fine, but it's not like people who drive cars are getting more "free" services than those who don't.

Homeowners and car owners also use more services than renters and non-car-owners.

Not to mention the parking fees are really nominal ($2/hour). If you're not going somewhere because you would have to pay $2/hour to park, it's not about the money. I mean, I get it, I also feel emotionally (irrationally) like I shouldn't have to pay for parking, so I generally park at a distance and walk the rest of the way, if possible. Or I go by Metro or bus or bike. The rational reality is that, in lots of places in the county, we're not paying enough for parking. We should be paying a lot more.

Using your logic, we should be paying to use public libraries too. Readers and library users consume more county and public resources!

I mean, it's certainly possible to have a general discussion about which county services should be free, and which county services should require fees. In such a discussion, "I think parking should be free for me on weekends because I pay gas taxes" would not contribute much, in my opinion.

Because you clearly do not own a small business or restaurant or have any vested interest in the financial health of areas like RTC, which for years has struggled with high vacancy rates due to patrons being turned off by parking issues. Oh what a brilliant plan, let's make it harder for people in the county to patronize businesses, as if MoCo's job killing philosophy isn't enough already.

You're probably some delusional cyclist who thinks people can bike everywhere and some nasty supporter of DIVE MoCo 2050. Just another jobs killing, tax increasing progressive Democrat endemic to either Silver Spring or Takoma Park.

Rockville Town Center is in the City of Rockville, and the parking garages in Rockville Town Center are privately owned and operated. Also, the City of Rockville is currently interested in improving access for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders, who do not need to use valuable land in Rockville Town Center for storing cars.

Right ..the bike lanes will make driving there very difficult so parking will not be the hard part.

People need to stop blaming parking for the reason why RTC is failing. That isn't it - there are other reasons.

How many times do you hear people say they aren't going to Pike and Rose because they have to pay for parking? Funny, that place is always crowded.

The traffic in Pike and Rose is terrible! It's faster and easier to walk or bike. The few times I couldn't avoid going to Pike and Rose by car, I parked in the commuter lot on the other side of Montrose/Josiah Henson Parkway, then walked over.

For Rockville Town Center, I really like the central plaza now that they've pedestrianized Gibbs Street too. Very pleasant place.

[Anonymous]

This county has never met a tax or a user fee it did not like.

Isn't the current revenue stream of parking fees covering the bond payments for these garages?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only progressive nature in MoCo is to get progressively worse.

You want to be able to store your private car for free on public property? That sounds like socialism.

Free?

Car owners pay gas taxes, registration fees, sales taxes, and more. What a dumb post.

The next time you go to a Caps or Nats game, you should explain them that you don't need a ticket, you already pay gas taxes, registration fees, sales taxes, and more.

oh boy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only progressive nature in MoCo is to get progressively worse.

You want to be able to store your private car for free on public property? That sounds like socialism.

dp.. free? We already pay a lot in taxes.

So you support free buses and Metro?

for certain groups, I do, actually.

We already pay taxes on cars, gas. I'm ok paying a small amount for county parking, but I do think that MoCo likes to tax everything and anything, and also spend on dumb things.

Ok, then free parking for certain groups too.

Your car and gas taxes do not come near covering the costs of roads and parking. Most of that comes out of general revenue, which comes from everyone who pays taxes, which is everyone.

we also pay property tax. Homeowners and car owners pay more taxes than those who don't own homes or cars. And that's fine, but it's not like people who drive cars are getting more "free" services than those who don't.

Homeowners and car owners also use more services than renters and non-car-owners.

Not to mention the parking fees are really nominal ($2/hour). If you're not going somewhere because you would have to pay $2/hour to park, it's not about the money. I mean, I get it, I also feel emotionally (irrationally) like I shouldn't have to pay for parking, so I generally park at a distance and walk the rest of the way, if possible. Or I go by Metro or bus or bike. The rational reality is that, in lots of places in the county, we're not paying enough for parking. We should be paying a lot more.

Using your logic, we should be paying to use public libraries too. Readers and library users consume more county and public resources!

I mean, it's certainly possible to have a general discussion about which county services should be free, and which county services should require fees. In such a discussion, "I think parking should be free for me on weekends because I pay gas taxes" would not contribute much, in my opinion.

Because you clearly do not own a small business or restaurant or have any vested interest in the financial health of areas like RTC, which for years has struggled with high vacancy rates due to patrons being turned off by parking issues. Oh what a brilliant plan, let's make it harder for people in the county to patronize businesses, as if MoCo's job killing philosophy isn't enough already.

You're probably some delusional cyclist who thinks people can bike everywhere and some nasty supporter of DIVE MoCo 2050. Just another jobs killing, tax increasing progressive Democrat endemic to either Silver Spring or Takoma Park.

Rockville Town Center is in the City of Rockville, and the parking garages in Rockville Town Center are privately owned and operated. Also, the City of Rockville is currently interested in improving access for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders, who do not need to use valuable land in Rockville Town Center for storing cars.

Right ..the bike lanes will make driving there very difficult so parking will not be the hard part.

People need to stop blaming parking for the reason why RTC is failing. That isn't it - there are other reasons.

How many times do you hear people say they aren't going to Pike and Rose because they have to pay for parking? Funny, that place is always crowded.

When it was a standard shopping center, I used to go there frequently. Now, because of the parking, I avoid it whenever possible. I think I’ve only been there 3 times since Pike and Rose opened. I went twice at my kids requests for birthday cakes from La Madeleine (a restaurant that was always busy in the original shopping center, but had little business when I picked up the cakes and didn’t last long at Pike and Rose), and once for a Christmas gift.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This county has never met a tax or a user fee it did not like.

Isn't the current revenue stream of parking fees covering the bond payments for these garages?

At $1/hour? No, of course not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only progressive nature in MoCo is to get progressively worse.

You want to be able to store your private car for free on public property? That sounds like socialism.

dp.. free? We already pay a lot in taxes.

So you support free buses and Metro?

for certain groups, I do, actually.

We already pay taxes on cars, gas. I'm ok paying a small amount for county parking, but I do think that MoCo likes to tax everything and anything, and also spend on dumb things.

Ok, then free parking for certain groups too.

Your car and gas taxes do not come near covering the costs of roads and parking. Most of that comes out of general revenue, which comes from everyone who pays taxes, which is everyone.

we also pay property tax. Homeowners and car owners pay more taxes than those who don't own homes or cars. And that's fine, but it's not like people who drive cars are getting more "free" services than those who don't.

Homeowners and car owners also use more services than renters and non-car-owners.

Not to mention the parking fees are really nominal ($2/hour). If you're not going somewhere because you would have to pay $2/hour to park, it's not about the money. I mean, I get it, I also feel emotionally (irrationally) like I shouldn't have to pay for parking, so I generally park at a distance and walk the rest of the way, if possible. Or I go by Metro or bus or bike. The rational reality is that, in lots of places in the county, we're not paying enough for parking. We should be paying a lot more.

Using your logic, we should be paying to use public libraries too. Readers and library users consume more county and public resources!

I mean, it's certainly possible to have a general discussion about which county services should be free, and which county services should require fees. In such a discussion, "I think parking should be free for me on weekends because I pay gas taxes" would not contribute much, in my opinion.

Because you clearly do not own a small business or restaurant or have any vested interest in the financial health of areas like RTC, which for years has struggled with high vacancy rates due to patrons being turned off by parking issues. Oh what a brilliant plan, let's make it harder for people in the county to patronize businesses, as if MoCo's job killing philosophy isn't enough already.

You're probably some delusional cyclist who thinks people can bike everywhere and some nasty supporter of DIVE MoCo 2050. Just another jobs killing, tax increasing progressive Democrat endemic to either Silver Spring or Takoma Park.

Rockville Town Center is in the City of Rockville, and the parking garages in Rockville Town Center are privately owned and operated. Also, the City of Rockville is currently interested in improving access for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders, who do not need to use valuable land in Rockville Town Center for storing cars.

Right ..the bike lanes will make driving there very difficult so parking will not be the hard part.

People need to stop blaming parking for the reason why RTC is failing. That isn't it - there are other reasons.

How many times do you hear people say they aren't going to Pike and Rose because they have to pay for parking? Funny, that place is always crowded.

When it was a standard shopping center, I used to go there frequently. Now, because of the parking, I avoid it whenever possible. I think I’ve only been there 3 times since Pike and Rose opened. I went twice at my kids requests for birthday cakes from La Madeleine (a restaurant that was always busy in the original shopping center, but had little business when I picked up the cakes and didn’t last long at Pike and Rose), and once for a Christmas gift.

It's so crowded, nobody goes there anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

But it's not actually "problem solved" because we know what's going to happen: fewer people will drive to businesses located in places like downtown SS, Wheaton, or Bethesda. Why drive anyway when basically everything can be had at the click of a button via Amazon? So businesses will have lower revenue which means the county will have lower tax revenue. And then the council will decide to just continue raising taxes to make up for that revenue. Repeat for several cycles and you get the "urban doom loop."

If only people could get to places like downtown SS, Wheaton, or Bethesda without driving and parking. No, wait, actually they can! And do! Some of them even live there! Repeat for several cycles and you get thriving urban places for people, not cars.

Let’s see how long the businesses in Bethesda would last without customers who drive and park and county garages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This county has never met a tax or a user fee it did not like.

Isn't the current revenue stream of parking fees covering the bond payments for these garages?

Au contraire.

MoCo leadership has never met a tax increase idea it has never liked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only progressive nature in MoCo is to get progressively worse.

You want to be able to store your private car for free on public property? That sounds like socialism.

dp.. free? We already pay a lot in taxes.

So you support free buses and Metro?

for certain groups, I do, actually.

We already pay taxes on cars, gas. I'm ok paying a small amount for county parking, but I do think that MoCo likes to tax everything and anything, and also spend on dumb things.

Ok, then free parking for certain groups too.

Your car and gas taxes do not come near covering the costs of roads and parking. Most of that comes out of general revenue, which comes from everyone who pays taxes, which is everyone.

we also pay property tax. Homeowners and car owners pay more taxes than those who don't own homes or cars. And that's fine, but it's not like people who drive cars are getting more "free" services than those who don't.

Homeowners and car owners also use more services than renters and non-car-owners.

Not to mention the parking fees are really nominal ($2/hour). If you're not going somewhere because you would have to pay $2/hour to park, it's not about the money. I mean, I get it, I also feel emotionally (irrationally) like I shouldn't have to pay for parking, so I generally park at a distance and walk the rest of the way, if possible. Or I go by Metro or bus or bike. The rational reality is that, in lots of places in the county, we're not paying enough for parking. We should be paying a lot more.

Using your logic, we should be paying to use public libraries too. Readers and library users consume more county and public resources!

I mean, it's certainly possible to have a general discussion about which county services should be free, and which county services should require fees. In such a discussion, "I think parking should be free for me on weekends because I pay gas taxes" would not contribute much, in my opinion.

Because you clearly do not own a small business or restaurant or have any vested interest in the financial health of areas like RTC, which for years has struggled with high vacancy rates due to patrons being turned off by parking issues. Oh what a brilliant plan, let's make it harder for people in the county to patronize businesses, as if MoCo's job killing philosophy isn't enough already.

You're probably some delusional cyclist who thinks people can bike everywhere and some nasty supporter of DIVE MoCo 2050. Just another jobs killing, tax increasing progressive Democrat endemic to either Silver Spring or Takoma Park.

Rockville Town Center is in the City of Rockville, and the parking garages in Rockville Town Center are privately owned and operated. Also, the City of Rockville is currently interested in improving access for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders, who do not need to use valuable land in Rockville Town Center for storing cars.

Right ..the bike lanes will make driving there very difficult so parking will not be the hard part.

People need to stop blaming parking for the reason why RTC is failing. That isn't it - there are other reasons.

How many times do you hear people say they aren't going to Pike and Rose because they have to pay for parking? Funny, that place is always crowded.

I would much rather go to RTC. The traffic at PR is crazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only progressive nature in MoCo is to get progressively worse.

You want to be able to store your private car for free on public property? That sounds like socialism.

dp.. free? We already pay a lot in taxes.

So you support free buses and Metro?

for certain groups, I do, actually.

We already pay taxes on cars, gas. I'm ok paying a small amount for county parking, but I do think that MoCo likes to tax everything and anything, and also spend on dumb things.

Ok, then free parking for certain groups too.

Your car and gas taxes do not come near covering the costs of roads and parking. Most of that comes out of general revenue, which comes from everyone who pays taxes, which is everyone.

we also pay property tax. Homeowners and car owners pay more taxes than those who don't own homes or cars. And that's fine, but it's not like people who drive cars are getting more "free" services than those who don't.

Homeowners and car owners also use more services than renters and non-car-owners.

Not to mention the parking fees are really nominal ($2/hour). If you're not going somewhere because you would have to pay $2/hour to park, it's not about the money. I mean, I get it, I also feel emotionally (irrationally) like I shouldn't have to pay for parking, so I generally park at a distance and walk the rest of the way, if possible. Or I go by Metro or bus or bike. The rational reality is that, in lots of places in the county, we're not paying enough for parking. We should be paying a lot more.

Using your logic, we should be paying to use public libraries too. Readers and library users consume more county and public resources!

I mean, it's certainly possible to have a general discussion about which county services should be free, and which county services should require fees. In such a discussion, "I think parking should be free for me on weekends because I pay gas taxes" would not contribute much, in my opinion.

Because you clearly do not own a small business or restaurant or have any vested interest in the financial health of areas like RTC, which for years has struggled with high vacancy rates due to patrons being turned off by parking issues. Oh what a brilliant plan, let's make it harder for people in the county to patronize businesses, as if MoCo's job killing philosophy isn't enough already.

You're probably some delusional cyclist who thinks people can bike everywhere and some nasty supporter of DIVE MoCo 2050. Just another jobs killing, tax increasing progressive Democrat endemic to either Silver Spring or Takoma Park.

Rockville Town Center is in the City of Rockville, and the parking garages in Rockville Town Center are privately owned and operated. Also, the City of Rockville is currently interested in improving access for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders, who do not need to use valuable land in Rockville Town Center for storing cars.

Right ..the bike lanes will make driving there very difficult so parking will not be the hard part.

People need to stop blaming parking for the reason why RTC is failing. That isn't it - there are other reasons.

How many times do you hear people say they aren't going to Pike and Rose because they have to pay for parking? Funny, that place is always crowded.

I won’t go to either because of the paid parking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only progressive nature in MoCo is to get progressively worse.

You want to be able to store your private car for free on public property? That sounds like socialism.

dp.. free? We already pay a lot in taxes.

So you support free buses and Metro?

for certain groups, I do, actually.

We already pay taxes on cars, gas. I'm ok paying a small amount for county parking, but I do think that MoCo likes to tax everything and anything, and also spend on dumb things.

Ok, then free parking for certain groups too.

Your car and gas taxes do not come near covering the costs of roads and parking. Most of that comes out of general revenue, which comes from everyone who pays taxes, which is everyone.

we also pay property tax. Homeowners and car owners pay more taxes than those who don't own homes or cars. And that's fine, but it's not like people who drive cars are getting more "free" services than those who don't.

Homeowners and car owners also use more services than renters and non-car-owners.

Not to mention the parking fees are really nominal ($2/hour). If you're not going somewhere because you would have to pay $2/hour to park, it's not about the money. I mean, I get it, I also feel emotionally (irrationally) like I shouldn't have to pay for parking, so I generally park at a distance and walk the rest of the way, if possible. Or I go by Metro or bus or bike. The rational reality is that, in lots of places in the county, we're not paying enough for parking. We should be paying a lot more.

NP and obviously this is anecdotal but I will use myself as an example. My DD loves to play at the play area in the mall in silver spring. We would go for the play area but then end up shopping at a few stores, grabbing lunch, maybe going to a movie if the weather was bad, farmer’s market, etc. I’m not going to choose that play area again because I don’t want to pay for parking. We’ll go to a playground instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only progressive nature in MoCo is to get progressively worse.

You want to be able to store your private car for free on public property? That sounds like socialism.

dp.. free? We already pay a lot in taxes.

So you support free buses and Metro?

for certain groups, I do, actually.

We already pay taxes on cars, gas. I'm ok paying a small amount for county parking, but I do think that MoCo likes to tax everything and anything, and also spend on dumb things.

Ok, then free parking for certain groups too.

Your car and gas taxes do not come near covering the costs of roads and parking. Most of that comes out of general revenue, which comes from everyone who pays taxes, which is everyone.

we also pay property tax. Homeowners and car owners pay more taxes than those who don't own homes or cars. And that's fine, but it's not like people who drive cars are getting more "free" services than those who don't.

Homeowners and car owners also use more services than renters and non-car-owners.

Not to mention the parking fees are really nominal ($2/hour). If you're not going somewhere because you would have to pay $2/hour to park, it's not about the money. I mean, I get it, I also feel emotionally (irrationally) like I shouldn't have to pay for parking, so I generally park at a distance and walk the rest of the way, if possible. Or I go by Metro or bus or bike. The rational reality is that, in lots of places in the county, we're not paying enough for parking. We should be paying a lot more.

NP and obviously this is anecdotal but I will use myself as an example. My DD loves to play at the play area in the mall in silver spring. We would go for the play area but then end up shopping at a few stores, grabbing lunch, maybe going to a movie if the weather was bad, farmer’s market, etc. I’m not going to choose that play area again because I don’t want to pay for parking. We’ll go to a playground instead.

You and your daughter enjoy going to downtown Silver Spring, but if you have to pay $1 an hour to store your car for a few hours, you'll stop doing this thing that you and your daughter enjoy.

Okey dokey.

[Anonymous]

Why would anyone *pay* to park in silver spring just to have the privilege of catching a bullet or getting robbed? Good god, have you paid attention to the crime in SS? And now they want us to pay for it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The council is so good at figuring out new ways to take our money! This is on top of recently raising property tax rates and the recordation tax, of course.

"On or about July 8, 2023, Saturday payment will be required in garages and lots. Rates and hours requiring payment will be the same as the rest of the week."

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DOT-Parking/FAQ/using-meters.html

Poor drivers. Won't someone think of the drivers?