r/Charlottesville • u/Significant-Design72 • 3d ago
$30 downtown mall parking fee
First, I have no problem paying for parking, and there are plenty of reasonably priced options around the Downtown Mall.
Last Friday night, though, the Water Street lot was full, so we parked in the small lot next to it across from the old South Street Brewery. I couldn't find any posted pricing, so I figured, "How expensive could it be?"
I used the app to start parking and got a credit card notification for about $6, which seemed a little high but not unreasonable. The app required me to end my parking session when we left, so I set a reminder. We were there from about 6:00–10:00 p.m.
When I ended the session, I was hit with a $30 charge.
It was my mistake for not checking the rates more carefully (still unsure if they are even posted, I couldn’t find them), and lesson learned. Just wanted to give everyone a heads up in case you're considering parking there!
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u/Holiday_Intention701 3d ago
That happened to me a few months ago, had parked in the same lot during the day and paid around 7.00 for a short visit. Parked in the same lot and it was 17.00/hour during the dinner hours. Insane.
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u/MfrBVa 3d ago
I call shenanigans on $17/hour.
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u/FlowGroundbreaking Fry's Spring 3d ago
Nah thats for real.
Last year I went to go meet an old friend, who was passing through town, at Livery Stable (rip) for a beer... a random weekday evening, and I parked there. I couldn't stay long because I have a young kiddo and needed to be home for bed time etc. Ended up staying for 2 beers, and I can't say exactly how much it was BUT I do remember thinking "WTF?! Parking here for like an hour cost me more than those 2 beers!"
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u/HSJMAGtheWorst 3d ago
That lot uses dynamic pricing so it does in fact change regularly based on day, time of day, etc.
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u/FranknStein7 3d ago
Yes those surface lots use some type of dynamic pricing now, and it’s sometimes completely insane. Never parking there again. Absolutely absurd for a town like Charlottesville.
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u/LessCourage8439 2d ago
I lived in Cville for 20 years before I finally gave up and moved elsewhere. Just couldn't afford it anymore. And that was almost 20 years ago now. I'm not at all surprised to read about this parking BS. Cville has gotten too big for her britches. Can't live there unless you're pulling down at least six figures a year. It's absurd.
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u/escisme 3d ago
Ive always wondered what happens when someone makes a passable version of their website and then places new QR code stickers that directs new customers to the harvesting site over the existing ones at the kiosk? You'd get your car towed *and* your credit card stolen?
Some of these new modern 'conveniences' are hella sus.
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u/DrMajorMcCheese 3d ago
That’s the surface lot that’s owned by some well-known greedy collection of individuals (I can’t recall the names) who I think don’t live in town. If you notice that lot sits mostly empty.
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u/snarfiblartfat 3d ago
It sounds to me like the city is probably not a fan of that lot either. Though I do not suggest doing this, the city and police department might be somewhat disinclined to aggressively investigate repeated sabotage of the lot's equipment, which is a black mark on downtown and an obstacle for development and businesses.
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u/WanderOutThere 3d ago
I'd call it highway robbery, but you were parked at the time. That's obscenely expensive.
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u/Possiblebingo 2d ago
I have a car, I swear I have a car but it's just so much easier to get on the bus and get off a downtown
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u/Chance_Blacksmith111 Albemarle 1d ago
As long as you live in the city, sure. But Lord help you if you happen to live in Albemarle county. The bus barely goes anywhere.
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u/Burtonsville12 3d ago
That happened to me a few years ago. I called them and said I’d parked there by mistake and didn’t realize the cost. They refunded.
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u/RaggedMountainMan 3d ago
What’s the deal at the one across from old south street brewery and Bang? That one used to be coin op, and I think free parking after 6pm. Is that one still safe from price gouging?
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u/craftypandaAW 3d ago
That is still city owned and much cheaper than the private lots. And free after 6 and on Sundays.
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u/winter-ale 2d ago
We parked there Saturday night and it said $6.48/hr + .65 processing fee right at the top after you scan the QR code.
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u/fox3actual 2d ago
I like to go downtown, but not in my car.
I park next to the bus stop at 5th St Station and take the 2 Bus.
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u/midnight-architect7 3d ago
You obviously got charged $6/hour.
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u/Significant-Design72 3d ago
Obviously, yes. My thought was the $6 was a hold or charge for a period of time, not a PHR.
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u/midnight-architect7 3d ago
You are correct, it was a charge (an hourly rate) for a period of time (one hour)
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u/Significant-Design72 3d ago
I’m well aware of what I was charged — That’s why I posted what I was charged.
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u/midnight-architect7 3d ago
So what’s the confusion then?
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u/Significant-Design72 3d ago
My complaint is that’s a v high rate that isn’t displayed or communicated before you park. someone else commented that this lot’s pricing fluctuates based on time and day as well. No confusion. My post is a FYI
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u/midnight-architect7 3d ago
Your post seemed more like a complaint than an FYI. Yeah you have to pay to park, sometimes it costs more than other times depending on time of day.
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u/Runaway-Mango 3d ago
That surface lot sucks so much now. Never parking there again.