A driver pays his ticket using the automated system at Kent Square.
Patrons of the Kent Square parking garage downtown will have to get used to a new automated system, as well as increased rates.
The garage had previously employed attendants until 11:30 p.m., but a new automated payment system operates 24/7.
Before the change, patrons could potentially park for free if they left the garage after 11:30 p.m. Under the new system, automated payment requires patrons to pay any time they exit the garage.
“It’s a way not to lose revenue as far as downtimes,” said Kevin Wench, area manager of Park Inc. “There was a lot of misuse, and an automated system will help crack down on that.”
Park Inc., is the company that has managed the Kent Square garage for more than two years, according to Bob Pack of Pointe West Management, one of the partners that owns Kent Square.
These partners include Park Inc., Pointe West Management and others.
“It was set to an automated system on Aug. 24,” Wench said. “Park Inc., had the experience with that type of equipment, but the change was made as a mutual agreement between the partners that manage Kent Square.”
Several employees who had been attendants at the garage were laid off or received reduced hours because of the change.
“Those jobs were cut down to temporary hire,” Wench said. “That’s the downside to automated systems — you have to cut down on some employees.”
However, there will still be at least one person at the garage to handle problems.
“There’s usually one attendant to help out in case someone doesn’t know how to use the automated system,” Pack said.
In addition, hourly and daily rates have increased.
Previously, the daily rate for two and a half hours or more was a maximum of $3, which was also the daily rate for weekends or special event days, according to Stephanie Pascoe, manager at the Kent Square parking garage.
The maximum daily rate is now $4 and $5 on weekends with special event days.
The rate changes were also made as a decision between the partners that manage Kent Square.
A version of this article appeared in the Sep 2 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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So they've fired all the attendants and replaced them with machines? Well, there goes me ever parking at Kent Square again
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Amen, I use to park there at least once a week since I have to go into that building but I parked there the other day and that was my last time. No way am I paying a $1 for 10 min to 45 min. I ended up owing $2 for 60 min.
On top of that they almost trapped me in the garage the day they were installing the machine. Because my ticket wouldn't have been valid since the machine was installed in under an hour. Luckily I got out right before they installed it, someone I know wasn't as fortunate and was stuck.
You lost me as a parking customer, i'll take the bus.
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I donate blood at the red cross in Kent Square and they give parking vouchers. How will that work with the automated system if there happens to not be an attendant on duty?
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I have always parked and will continue to park at Kent Sq.
It's easy, covered from rain, snow, etc...I can dash into Starbucks, the bank, stroll over
to the Farmers Market (which is awesome); walk down to some sushi outdoors at Poor
Billy's; grab a movie at the Lyric, a late bite at Gillie's or catch a performance at Theatre
101  and thebusiness mixers on the top floor are a blast!!! Kent Square is also a great
spot to park if you're going to hit Town Hall, the Library or want to walk over to the
Huckleberry and spend a few hours walking the entire length. Its so easy and so NOT a
big deal. I always find it kind of funny how people CHOOSE to "reject something new"
just because...they aren't used to it? It's odd in this day and age. And I find it even
stranger given where we live - in a technologically and educationally progressive town
that doesn't only embrace new technology but actually creates it for the rest of the
world. But, hey, pick your problem, right? Kent Square is a great addition to downtown
and as we continue to grow over the coming years it will fill up and do just fine.
poison.
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20 bucks says you own or have a vested interest in kent square.
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Or in Downtown Blacksburg, Inc.
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The follow-up to this is to ask just how much Kent Square has paid to the Town of Blacksburg under the agreement that got the place built. Last report (and it has been a while) was that the town had deferred accepting payments because the parking garage wasn't doing well and the vacancy rate for the offices and condos was pretty high. This would be a nice way to show up the Roanoke Times, which has pretty much given up on news coverage in favor of running user-submitted pictures of babies, birds, and flowers.
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I'm writing this comment as I sit in a line of cars attempting to exit the Kent sq garage. Going on 1 hour of waiting and we've only moved from level 5 to level 4. This is probably the most mismanaged garage ive ever parked in.
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