Metro News Release
For immediate release: July 5, 2005
Officials celebrate opening of parking garage at College Park-U of MD Metrorail station
The new parking structure at the College Park-U of MD Metrorail station on the Green Line is open, and officials are looking at it as a way to encourage transit use and enhance transit-oriented development in the immediate area.
The new parking facility features 1,345 spaces (605 spaces for Metro riders and 740 for commercial use) on six-levels of parking. The new parking structure was built over the original Kiss & Ride surface lot. The garage is part of a $59 million investment to create 5,100 new parking spaces at three new parking facilities (College Park-U of MD, New Carrollton and Largo Town Center Metrorail stations).
The parking facilities are being financed by Metro revenues, a Prince George’s County/Metro surcharge on transit parking spaces, Maryland Department of Transportation grants, Federal appropriations, and Maryland Transportation Authority revenue bonds.
"This is a real celebration for all of the transit riders in Prince George’s County," said Lt. Governor Michael Steele. "But this multi-million dollar investment is about far more than just new parking spaces. It is about economic development for Prince George’s County. These parking facilities open the door for bringing quality development to the County."
Lt. Governor Steele was one of several officials on hand today to celebrate the opening of the parking facility. Also in attendance were Prince George’s County Executive Jack B. Johnson, Mayor of College Park Stephen A. Brayman, Metro Board members Charles Deegan and Marcell Solomon and Metro General Manager/CEO Richard A. White.
This $17.3 million parking structure opened on June 25, three weeks ahead of schedule. The Largo Town Center garage opened on December 18, 2004. The New Carrollton garage is expected to open by the end of the year.
Parking at Metro-operated parking lots is free on weekends and holidays. The weekday rate at the College Park facility is $3.50. Customers must use their SmarTrip cards to pay the parking fees.
News release issued on July 5, 2005.