The Lowdown on Parking at George Mason: More Spaces Than Ever Before

Get excited: George Mason University has more parking spaces than it ever has before.

Story and Photos by Connect2Mason Managing Director Rachael Dickson

Want to see where all the parking is on campus? You can access a campus parking map here.

New Kid on the Block: Rappahannock River Parking Deck

This overflowing of riches comes with the opening of the Rappahannock River Parking Deck on the Northeast side of campus. The new parking deck, after nearly two years of construction, has 2,650 spaces in it, more than the Mason Pond Parking Deck and the Sandy Creek Parking Deck combined.

"Rappahannock River Parking Deck should drastically improve parking," Parking and Transportation Director Josh Cantor said. However, students should still try to arrive early to find a parking spot. The rising number of students on campus will continue to create demand for parking spaces, even with the increased number available.

"Just because we have more spaces doesn't mean it's going to be any less busy," Cantor said. The five levels of Rappahannock River are split between visitor parking, general lot parking that works on a first-come, first-serve basis, faculty/staff spaces, and reserved spots on the upper level. You can enter the deck from either University Drive or the newly reopened Patriot Circle. Look for the counter signs displaying approximately how many parking spaces are available in each section.

Both residents and commuters can reap the benefits of the new parking deck, with one caveat. Residents will not be allowed to park overnight; cars must be out of the deck from 2 to 5 a.m. Cantor said this restriction is to prevent residents from "squatting" on parking spaces for days or even weeks at a time. "We want to have movement in the decks so that everyone can use it," Cantor said.

The inside of Rappahannock River Parking Deck, the day before school starts.

Same Old, Same Old

Besides the new parking deck, much of parking at Mason is similar to past years. General lots A, C, J, K, and L function on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once those lots are full, cars will be directed to park at M, O and P at the Field House across Chain Bridge Road.

This year, anyone can purchase reserved parking permits for Lot I, which was previously kept for residents. Reserved parking permits can also still be purchased for the parking decks as well. But move quick- reserved permits for Mason Pond Parking Deck have already sold out and the others are moving fast!

Rising Costs

Parking permits across the board rose in cost this year. General Lot Permits rose to $225 from $200, Reserved Deck Permits rose to $450 from $400 and Lot I reserved permits rose from $300 to $340.

"We held the parking permit fee increases as low as we could," Cantor said. "We kept it lower than we initially had targeted." Parking Services is looking for alternative means of raising money to avoid raising permit prices further.

Cantor pointed out that when compared to other universities nationally, Mason's permit fees run about average.

Alternative Methods of Transportation

If the cost of a parking permit is still too high for you, consider some of Mason's alternative methods of transportation. Parking and Transportation has continued to arrange for Mason students to ride the Fairfax CUE bus system for free with a valid Mason ID. The Mason to Metro shuttle takes students back and forth between campus and the Vienna Metro Station daily. In addition, the Gunston Go-Bus, an initiative started last semester in conjunction with Student Government, is now running two buses, seven days a week, to various shopping centers around Fairfax. Green and Gold Circulators have replaced the West Campus shuttle and now provide service around the Fairfax campus, including the West Campus Lot and the Field House Lot. The bus and shuttle schedules provide a surprising amount of flexibility to a student's schedule. Be sure to check it out!

Any Questions?

The Office of Parking and Transportation is easier to contact than ever, thanks to efforts to reach out to students on social networking sites. Parking is on Facebook, and Twitter. You can follow news on the Mason Shuttles on Twitter as well.