Many Restonians Still Hate ParkRTC

RESTON, VA — Reston residents were granted a temporary reprieve from having to switch from free to paid parking at Reston Town Center back in September when developer Boston Properties opted to delay the rollout of ParkRTC. But with Jan. 3 right around the corner as the new start date, those unpleasant feelings Reston residents had about the situation are cropping up again.

Locals have spent the better part of 2016 complaining about the change, upset not only by having to pay for parking -- up to $24 per day, although cheaper monthly passes are available -- but also over concerns about privacy through the ParkRTC app, which Reston Town Center expects most people will use for their parking sessions.

Reston Town Center posted another plea to Restonians to download the ParkRTC app, offering a chance to win one of 10 $500 gift cards usable at Reston Town Center. More than 21,000 people have downloaded the app so far, according to the Fallston Group, which represents Boston Properties.

If locals who dislike the idea of ParkRTC are a minority, they're certainly a vocal group. Every Reston Town Center Facebook post that mentions ParkRTC is filled with negative comments from users promising to shop elsewhere until the idea is abandoned. A total of 8,413 people have signed a petition at Change.org to stop ParkRTC from happening as of Friday morning.

So far, there isn't much indication that there's been a change of heart among locals ever since Boston Properties promised a campaign to "educate" the locals about what ParkRTC brings to the table. However, the developer has long said that locals will eventually come around to the idea despite numerous calls to boycott Reston Town Center. Many interested parties will be watching to find out if that's the case in a few weeks.

Image via Reston Town Center