November 1, 2005

Parking Services Launches Two New Initiatives

This month the Office of Parking Services will launch a new community service opportunity — Toys-for-Tickets — and a new on-campus auto-detailing amenity for The George Washington University community.

Throughout the week of Nov.14 to 18, Parking Services is sponsoring Toys-for-Tickets. Anyone holding outstanding GW parking citations may pay off the current value of the ticket — including any late payment fees that have accrued — with a new, unwrapped toy or toys of equal or greater value. Citation holders should follow the same procedures they normally would to pay off citations, visit the Parking Services Office at 2211 H St., and bring the toy as well as the receipt to verify the purchase amount. Toys will be donated to the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots program and My Sister’s Place, a domestic violence shelter for women and children located at 1513 Franklin St, NE.

“This is the first time we’ve done anything like this,” said Larry Cohen, director of Parking Services. “It’s an opportunity to help those less fortunate.”

Details on Detailing

Starting Nov. 21 Parking Services will unveil a new full-service auto-detailing and car wash operated out of the lower level of the University Parking Garage. The service is contracted through NAB International and offers the GW community the opportunity to drop off dirty cars in the morning and return at the end of the day to find them sparkling inside and out.

NAB offers seven detailing packages with the scope of service ranging from a hand wash and vacuumed interior to carnauba cream wax to leather treatment to total interior and exterior cleaning for a showroom look. Prices start at $40 for a compact car. Payment for the services will be accepted by credit card only. Cohen says they are working to accept GWorld Colonial Cash payments as well, but cash will not be accepted.

The service is available for daily parkers, as well; however they will have to pay University Parking Garage daily parking rates in addition to the cost of the service package. Monthly parking permit holders will receive 10 percent off on all services.

NAB will offer telephone (202/775-0680) and online (www.nabinternational.com) scheduling. Vehicles will be services between 7 am–6:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Parking Services also plans to add a link to NAB’s Web site to enable the community to log on and schedule service.

The idea stems from a time when Larry Cohen worked at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD, where they established a similar service for faculty and staff.

“It was very successful,” recalled Cohen. “It was a nice convenient service and was very well received by the community. We all have other things we want to do on our weekends, and this means one less thing to take care of in your free time.”
Cohen led an extensive review of companies in the metropolitan area including two rounds of proposals, interviews, and site visits before making a final decision. Cohen added that NAB was selected based on its experience and reputation in the industry.

“We believe that the most important aspect of this new amenity is convenience,” said Nancy Haaga, director of auxiliary and institutional services. “We all lead busy lives, balancing work and family. This car-care service frees up valuable time. Spending on hours on the weekend washing and waxing your car is not a good use of that time.”

Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu