Thursday, March 28, 2024

Private parking garages on the Oceanfront can charge whatever they want

Virginia Beach Oceanfront (Southside Daily file)
Virginia Beach Oceanfront (Southside Daily file)

VIRGINIA BEACH — After reports private parking lots charged upwards of $80 per car on the Fourth of July, a spokesperson for one of the private garages, GoldKey PHR, denied they charged $80 — but could confirm the company charged $60 per car on the holiday.

The company declined to comment on why they were charging six times more for parking than city lots’ maximum $10 price, but did say, “other garages were charging $50.”

Other private parking lots could not be immediately reached for comment.

Apparently, the city has no control over how much the private lots charge.

Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau spokeswoman Teresa Diaz said the city “encourages the use of city-regulated parking facilities” and has no authority over the prices private lots set.

Recently, city officials estimated more than 100,000 people would visit the Oceanfront on July 4 with about 3,000 city-regulated parking spaces in the Resort area and Croatan.

“In addition to the ParkMe mobile app, visitors can also pick up a free map at our Visitors Information Center on Parks Avenue and at our Visitor Information kiosks at 17th and 24th streets showing all the city-regulated parking options,” she said.

Diaz noted the city’s multiple parking discounts for residents, loyalty program members, and those with a valid handicap placard — but those don’t apply to a $60 price tag at a private garage.

For more information on parking the resort area, click here.

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