If Hyattsville has learned from the past, it will NOT put meters in the new Arts District. My father remembers the Hyattsville of the '50s, with parking meters everywhere. As soon as PG Plaza opened, Old Hyattsville became a sort of ghost town.

Also, can we please get a turn-arrow from southbound 1 at Jefferson into the new restaurants? Please!

I would vote "yes" for parking meters. Vehicles travel at nearly 50 MPH through historic downtown Hyattsville, despite a 25 MPH speed limit. On-street parking during off-peak hours (via metered parking on Route 1) would slow traffic and create a more pedestrian friendly environment for residents and shoppers. Think Connecticut Avenue or Wisconsin Avenue in the Maryland suburbs. Baltimore Avenue (Route 1) could have that same neighborhood feel.

Parking meters is about controlling demand. Since there is more demand for parking spaces than there are actual parking spaces, it will create more turnover which will essentially keep a steady flow of people being able to access the commercial district. The problem with University Town Center is that there is more parking than there are patrons of the businesses. With that being said, I do not mind paying for parking as long as there is a convenient way to pay for parking. I would hate to have to carry around a roll of quarters. It would be a huge turn off. But if I'm able to use my credit card such as with the newer multi-space meters, I'd be more inclined to do that.

This issue is so sad to see when we were all looking forward to the new shops.
I cannot count how many times we had planned to go to bus boys for dinner only to end up circling around the lots endlessly. We always end up leaving and heading to Franklin's. As of late we just skip the whole idea of heading to BB and go straight to Franklin's to avoid the headache of trying to park. I truly hope they plan to develop more space in the back for parking. If anymore stores open in the development it will be near impossible to find parking. I think this issue may even impact the decision of some stores opening in the development at all.

If they want the Arts District to be a draw for patrons outside of the immediate walking area, they need to provide parking. The on-street parking on Route 1 does nothing but cause congestion. Making sure there appropriate crosswalks and lights for pedestrians is a much better idea than creating more congestion in the area. If the area is difficult to drive and park in, these new businesses, especially the smaller ones, will disappear, make the entire purpose of having poured all that money into the Arts District pointless.

Obviously, SS has found a way to make parking work for them. If Hyattsville wants to move forward, it needs to find out how areas like SS are making it work.