Springfield Plaza Lot Closure

Originally posted by c_quintarelli

Splitting the lines between the Backlick Lot & the Gambrill lot is impractical. If we did this, we would need to form two new slug lines to get home at night.

Originally posted by sluDgE

I say we try Springfield Mall, which is supposed to have 580 spaces according to the Fairfax County website.

If the owners of Springfield Plaza don't budge then we have less than a week to coordinate this. We have to pick somewhere...

You could actually rename all the afternoon "Bob's" slug lines as combined Backlick, Gambrill, and Springfield Mall lines if the efforts continue to fail to keep the Springfield Plaza commuter parking open through a contract renewal. Evidence that such an arrangement works is the single slug line (with multiple DC and NoVa destinations) working very well every morning at Rolling Valley Mall. [;)]

I'm not saying Backlick/Gambrill/Springfield Mall slug lines are the optimum alternative to the two slug lines at "Bob's", but it's one option (and a viable back-up plan candidate) -- and these lots would provide many more total commuter parking spaces than Springfield Plaza does now. [:)]

Here is my response - to Mr. McKay's response from yesterday. At this point I believe we have two immediate actions to take.
(1) See if they can extend the Springfield plaza commuter parking for at least two more weeks
(2) Someone take charge and put something into effect in the next couple of days. Otherwise, next week will be a messy situation. It seems getting home sounds like a challenge if we park at the new designated spots.



Dear Mr. McKay,

thank you for your prompt reply. Please let me know how I can assist in trying to make this transition for new spaces prompt and advantageous. The commuter "slug line" has been such a great system for all involved to reduce traffic and reduce pollution for the region and should be a high priority to resume a prompt solution for the 350 folks that parked in the Springfield plaza.

The owners have a right to see fit on how their spaces are used - that is understandable. I am concerned that this notice was posted the same week the change was going to go into effect. I was told by your office yesterday this was not communicated to anyone prior to Monday - but your comment below is to the contrary that the lease was extended a month while things were in negotiations. Wasn't a back up being pursued in case this happened?

I did want to ask about the previous discussion of using the very large and unused parking garage at the Springfield Mall for commuter spaces - next to Macy's. This would be a very viable location and I would think the retail stores wouldn't mind the potential store traffic from the easy access to the mall after a long day of work.

Please let me know how I can assist and I appreciate your hard work on this matter moving forward.

thank you,

Kevin

-----Original Message-----
From: Clark, Joan <Joan.Clark@fairfaxcounty.gov>
Sent: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 4:38 pm
Subject: FW: Commuter Parking Call


Dear Mr. Folk,

Thank you for your phone call.. I wish I had better news for you about the
property owner's decision to discontinue commuter parking at Springfield Plaza
as of February 1.

The decision to discontinue using the lot was not made by the County - quite the contrary - we were doing everything we could to try to renogiate a lease but the property owners were not willing to renew. Unfortunately, we were not given much notice and upon learning of this, the County has been working with the Plaza to
try to save the contract. We managed to get the contract extended from its termination date on December 31 to the end of January but he bottom line on this is that Springfield Plaza is private property and we cannot force the owner to lease parking spaces to us.

There are several alternate locations, not as convenient as this one, but with available spaces-they are on Gambrill Road and at Backlick Road and the Parkway. Our County Department of Transportation will be providing more information about
this alternative later this week. County staff has been directed to distribute fliers and put out a press release to try to communicate with those parking at this location before they arrive at the lot next week. Additionally, we have persuaded the Plaza to hold off on towing until mid February We are seeking alternative solutions to this challenge and are in discussions about leasing additional parking spaces with the owner of the Circuit City across from Springfield Plaza to see if this is viable.

Jeffrey C. McKay
Lee District Supervisor







Kfolkpsu

I think the best options are:
- Springfield Mall (580 spots, though many are used by people that walk to the Franconia Metro).
- Backlick North (6831 Backlick Road).

They are close to each other and drivers may be willing to pick up people for both locations on the way home from DC.

The biggest issue with Gambrill and Hechinger is that they are not close to the 395/495 interchange. [:(]

When I talked to McKay's office this morning, I was told that Dwoskin realty chose not to renew the lease. I left a message for someone to call me back but my husband got through to someone in the legal department who was quite nasty. Here is their contact info:


To contact our corporate headquarters in Fairfax, Virginia, you may reach us at:
e-mail inquiry@dwoskin.com
phone 703-273-9320
fax 703-273-5155