NEW - Two Options for Potomac Mills Slugs

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   I work downtown and live in Montclair. Currently I slug from Tacketts to Rosslyn and metro the rest of the way (that's the best option given my usual lot arrival time of 7:45-8:00). I suspect the Tacketts lot will fill very early starting Monday.

	Thank you for presenting Options. I prefer Option 1, as I would like to see greater utilization of the Gemini Lot. However, I would suggest that the Gemini Lot cover downtown riders instead of Crystal/Rosslyn/Pentagon. My rationale for this suggestion is that current bus PM capacity to Gemini from Rosslyn is insufficient to cover slugs who may be "trapped" at Rosslyn in the evenings.

	I liked the suggestion above that Potomac Mills become "Pentagon-only." My suggestion for Crystal/Rosslyn overflow riders & drivers is to begin using the Harbor Drive lot at the intersection of Telegraph and Minnieville. That is a very short drive from Tackett's, and actually a bit more convenient for drivers using the Horner Road exit to avoid 123 traffic. I would also like to see the county investigate the status of the "Tackett's Village" property right next to the Tackett's lot. It appears to be a beautiful and completely unused parking lot, and the property is for sale.

	There is of course some un-utilized capacity for downtown slugs to park at the "Hechingers" lot (and I've been doing this long enough to remember the Hechingers building there). Though coming from Montclair, this lot, and the 123 lot (as profiled in Option 2) are a last resort for me.

	For myself, I am planning to the Gemini lot a try Monday morning; I'll take a a ride to where-ever, or catch the Bus if need be. I very much hope drivers will start to make that lot an option.

	-Aimee

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Fall_Line Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 11 Feb 2011 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Fall_Line Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 Feb 2011 at 11:59am
	I work downtown and live in Montclair. Currently I slug from Tacketts to Rosslyn and metro the rest of the way (that's the best option given my usual lot arrival time of 7:45-8:00). I suspect the Tacketts lot will fill very early starting Monday. Thank you for presenting Options. I prefer Option 1, as I would like to see greater utilization of the Gemini Lot. However, I would suggest that the Gemini Lot cover downtown riders instead of Crystal/Rosslyn/Pentagon. My rationale for this suggestion is that current bus PM capacity to Gemini from Rosslyn is insufficient to cover slugs who may be "trapped" at Rosslyn in the evenings. I liked the suggestion above that Potomac Mills become "Pentagon-only." My suggestion for Crystal/Rosslyn overflow riders & drivers is to begin using the Harbor Drive lot at the intersection of Telegraph and Minnieville. That is a very short drive from Tackett's, and actually a bit more convenient for drivers using the Horner Road exit to avoid 123 traffic. I would also like to see the county investigate the status of the "Tackett's Village" property right next to the Tackett's lot. It appears to be a beautiful and completely unused parking lot, and the property is for sale. There is of course some un-utilized capacity for downtown slugs to park at the "Hechingers" lot (and I've been doing this long enough to remember the Hechingers building there). Though coming from Montclair, this lot, and the 123 lot (as profiled in Option 2) are a last resort for me. For myself, I am planning to the Gemini lot a try Monday morning; I'll take a a ride to where-ever, or catch the Bus if need be. I very much hope drivers will start to make that lot an option. -Aimee

siggy14 Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 17 Nov 2009 Location: va Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote siggy14 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 Feb 2011 at 12:12pm
	Option 1.

Cplace Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 03 Nov 2010 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Cplace Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 Feb 2011 at 12:34pm
	Option 1 works best for me. I live in Montclair and drive folks to the Pentagon. As a driver I wouldn't go to 123. Also as folks have mentioned a lot of people go to the Pentagon, that'll be more traffic on 95 and old bridge trying to get to that lot. I feel if anyone is moved to 123 it should be a smaller group only because that's less cars having to work their way up there. Only downside it's out of the way for drivers so if they get there and there are no slugs they are SOL. I noticed the K-mart lot was left out will that be left for over-flow then? Anyways Dale City commuter lot works fine for me. Just need to know if the lines will be split up and designated to different areas in the lot. Kudos for coming up with a plan, since the county wasn't much help.

xhawk Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 22 May 2009 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote xhawk Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 Feb 2011 at 12:48pm
	I just got an email from the Fairfax Connector saying that the Park and Rides in the South and East may fill up quickly because of the decision to reduce the spaces at Potomac Mills.

Evergreen Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Evergreen Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 Feb 2011 at 1:23pm
	VDOT and Tom Blaser from PW County must ensure that something be done about more police patrol around the Dale City commuter lot (Gemini Way), along with poor lighting already in existence. Take note before sunrise and after dark as to how dimly lit that lot currently is. I'd be concerned for women having to walk through that lot. Right now there are only TWO stationery overhead lights supporting that lot - NOT ENOUGH LIGHTS. I can't help but notice smashed glass in that lot on a weekly basis. As bad as it is having to worry about where to park now, none of us need the extra worry about returning to a vandalized vehicle.

ghanna Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 11 Feb 2011 Location: virginia Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote ghanna Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 Feb 2011 at 1:43pm
	quote: Originally posted by Admin Slugs and Drives, As a result of the Town Hall meeting on February 9th, a number of slugs asked that I take a more active role resolving the Potomac Mills problems. As I stated at the meeting, I try to let the system regulate itself with the slugs/drivers making the decisions. However, this change came with so little warning and will impact so many people, that we need to come together quickly. This is what I propose: - collect input/comments from the two options below - make a decision by Saturday morning - notify slugs of the new location on Saturday via this website, the Slug Newsletter, and hopefully some media coverage - On Monday, flyers will be distributed to those entering the lot of the changes. Many will be completely unaware and frustrated. - The flyer will be available for download from this site - I would ask that slugs/drivers help communicate the changes Two options for the Potomac Mills slug lines: Option #1 (3.5 miles - 8 minutes from Potomac) 1) 14th/18th/L'Enfant Street line - remains at Potomac Mills 2) Crystal City/Rosslyn lines - relocates to Dale City Commuter Lot 3) Pentagon Line - relocates to Dale City Commuter Lot Link to directions from Potomac: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=14362+Gideon+Drive,+Woodbridge,+VA&daddr=Minnieville+Rd+%26+Gemini+Way,+Dale+City,+VA+22193&hl=en&geocode=FTWaTQId05Fk-ymbG3hfDla2iTH_upq01-j2ZA%3BFT2tTQIdreRj-w&mra=ls&sll=38.645053,-77.339475&sspn=0.006469,0.013046&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=14 OmniRide Bus Schedules to this lot (Washington): http://prtctransit.org/commuter-bus/pdf/Dale-Washington.pdf Pentagon Slugs: http://prtctransit.org/commuter-bus/pdf/Dale-CC.pdf ******** or ********* Option #2 (4.8 miles - 7 minutes from Potomac) 1) 14th/18th/L'Enfant Street line - remains at Potomac Mills 2) Crystal City/Rosslyn lines - relocates to I-95 at Va. 123 3) Pentagon Line - relocates to I-95 at Va. 123 Driving direction/map: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=14362+Gideon+Drive,+Woodbridge,+VA&daddr=Gordon+Blvd+%26+Annapolis+Way,+Woodbridge,+Prince+William,+Virginia+22191&hl=en&geocode=FTWaTQId05Fk-ymbG3hfDla2iTH_upq01-j2ZA%3BFa34TQIdfkBl-ylLYpjtUlS2iTF3933Na1P6dA&mra=ls&sll=38.667183,-77.250645&sspn=0.006417,0.013046&g=Gordon+Blvd+%26+Annapolis+Way,+Woodbridge,+Prince+William,+Virginia+22191&ie=UTF8&ll=38.646774,-77.271309&spn=0.061538,0.110035&t=h&z=13 Omniride Bus: http://prtctransit.org/commuter-bus/pdf/LakeRidge-CC.pdf Rational on these options: - with only 250 spaces at Potomac Mills, it will accomodate only one slug lines (to include carpools/vanpools/bus riders). - Keeping the Pentagon and the Crystal City/Rosslyn lines at the same location gives slugs/drivers a choice if one destination isn't available. At times I will slug to the Pentagon if Crystal City drivers aren't available. - both commuter lots have bus service - the other commuter lots are either at capacity already or too small to accomodate slugging effectively There is no "silver bullet" that works for everybody. Any option will inconvenience some and disrupts our normal commute. However, we can make this work if we come together. But we must come together.**

soldierguardian Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 25 Jan 2011 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote soldierguardian Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 Feb 2011 at 2:00pm
	I concur with keeping the Pentagon Slug line at Potomac Mills. quote: Originally posted by wkdrns01 The majority of the sluggers are going to the pentagon. I think Pentagon Line should stay at Potomac and move the other lines to different location. -soldierguardian

soldierguardian Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 25 Jan 2011 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote soldierguardian Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 Feb 2011 at 2:10pm
	Why can't the abandoned parking lot at Minnieville and Harbor Dr (adjacent to telegraph Rd; near the Tackett's lot)? I estimate that there are around 250 spots there...

dwyorkster Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 06 Nov 2009 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote dwyorkster Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 Feb 2011 at 2:34pm
	The news stories have indicated that the county was in discussion with PTRC and other private properties near Potomac Mills to come up with other options. I understand one of those discussions is with First Baptist Church (at Minnieville and PW Parkway) where they have a large parking lot. A decision is expected in the next few/several days, but, of course, the county's discussions did not really begin soon enough to get everything in place by Monday. Just FYI in case that's a potential game-changer in the next several days/weeks.

Brenfromva Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 20 Nov 2009 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Brenfromva Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 Feb 2011 at 2:41pm
	I am a driver only and pick up now at the PM lot. I used to go to the old Hechingers lot, but got tired of fighting the traffic on Minnieville/Old Bridge before I even got on 95. I am for the 18th street slugline to either stay at PM if there will still be spaces available after 7:30, or at any of the lots off of Dale Boulevard. I just need to know where to go Monday morning, so I along with countless others aren't driving from lot to lot trying to find warm bodies to take to DC[:D]