Dear Supporters, Thank you for everything you’re doing to oppose Boston Properties’ ParkRTC parking system. The almost 9k signatures on the change.org petition have made a BIG difference in amplifying the concerns of the community and garnering media attention on the many problems with Boston Properties' parking scheme. SAVE THE DATE 3/4: A group of Reston residents are organizing a peaceful protest event on Saturday, March 4th from 1-4pm near RTC to advocate for change. Spread the word and come out to show Boston Properties that the community will not back down in our efforts. A Facebook event with all the details is here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1862160800735044/, or if you’re not on Facebook use this Eventbrite link to learn more and RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/park-free-rtc-protest-tickets-32216974839?aff=Changeorg. Paid parking has been in effect for about 45 days now and the roll-out has been a disaster. BAD FOR MERCHANTS: ParkRTC has been bad for the retailers and restaurants. They reported a decline in revenue of 10-50% for January 2016 vs January 2017 figures. This is noteworthy because in January 2016 the area was shut down for several days while we all dug out from Snowzilla. The figures would have been worse without the snowstorm in January 2016 depressing sales figures. BAD FOR HOURLY EMPLOYEES: The decline in people dining and shopping at RTC has directly and dramatically affected the livelihoods of restaurant servers and retailer workers who depend on tips and high shopping traffic volume for work hours. BAD FOR THE COMMUNITY: Feedback abounds about the myriad of negative experiences with the ParkRTC system. Community input on the petition, on every RTC Facebook post, and on sites like Next Door, Reddit and others tell the story of a difficult and confusing system, security risks, application errors, poor judgment in deciding parking free days, and overall frustration with ParkRTC and Boston Properties. The result is a poor reputation for the civic center focal point of our community. Individuals and groups have stopped going to RTC all together or curbed their activity to only weekends. Bad, bad, bad. HOW YOU CAN HELP: 1. Share this message with five friends and neighbors. 2. Come to the March 4th event. RSVP on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/events/1862160800735044/) or Eventbrite (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/park-free-rtc-protest-tickets-32216974839?aff=Changeorg) today. 3. Keep posting on social media about your displeasure with Boston Properties and the ParkRTC system. 4. Follow us on Facebook at /RTCparkingfee. 5. Follow us on Twitter at @RTCparkingfee. Thank you! Hope to see you on March 4th.