I reported last month that it would soon cost more to park in Montgomery County-owned parking garages in downtown Bethesda, but the Montgomery County Council is now increasing the price of parking on County parking lots here, as well. Effective January 3, 2022, it will now cost $2.00 an hour to park in downtown Bethesda public lots, such as these in the Woodmont Triangle neighborhood. With a moribund County economy, the omicron variant looming, and outdoor dining tanking during winter freezes, this is not a business-friendly move by the Council.
What a great way to help struggling businesses who've been severely impacted by the never-ending MoCo pandemic response.
ReplyDeleteAll the cheering and enthusiasm for turning Bethesda into a mini-Manhattan means accepting Gotham's higher parking rates, too. This is part of the package, folks.
ReplyDeleteIt's the same great MoCo parking experience that you've always enjoyed, but more expensive. You'll love it!
ReplyDeleteThis is unclear as you reported last month the price was going from $1 to $1.50. So I take it the price varies from $1-2 depending on which public facility is used or whether short term/long term?
ReplyDeleteYou all sound like a bunch of whiny socialists, not capitalists. Not that I necessarily have anything against socialists. You sound like you want the county to provide everyone with free/reduced cost (subsidized) parking services that are not competitive with either private parking or other similar jurisdictions. Who is going to pay for these parking services? Residents including those who don't use public parking? The same small businesses you say are struggling? For comparison, DC parking meter rates are $2.30/hr and up to $7.00/hr in "priority areas" and Alexandria parking meter rates are $2.50/hr. My experience with MoCo parking has generally been pretty good with an occasional exception.
ReplyDelete8:34: This article refers to the increase for surface parking lots. My article last month (linked to in this article) was about the hike in garage fees, which are a different rate from lots.
ReplyDeleteAre the garages still free on weekends? If so, the price hike to $1.50 is definitely blunted by the free weekend parking. I am in the camp that paying an extra $.50 or $1.00 per hour is not going to change my habits in Bethesda...still the best deal around by far.
ReplyDeleteI'd be more accepting of the price hike if there was a guarantee that my car wouldn't be stolen from the lot.
ReplyDeleteIf paying an extra 50 cents an hour going to change your mind about parking here, then you’re not going to be spending much anyway.
ReplyDeletePeople are weird. You all will pay $80-$100+ on [generally, pretty mediocre] dinner for two but freak out about spending another dollar to park for a couple of hours?
ReplyDelete@6:10 AM: Where would you suggest going for a non-mediocre dinner in Bethesda?
ReplyDeleteDemocrats destroy every economy
ReplyDeleteA 50% increase. WTF
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