August 30, 2008

Scott Zobach Worcesteria

THE NOT-QUITE GARAGE: Worcesteria used the new “Garage Mahal” for the first time over the weekend for a daytrip into Boston. A few things we noticed, for what it’s worth.

WHERE TO?: When you leave the garage on the first floor and cross over into Union Station, you end up facing a wall in what used to be Union Station’s back hallway. Now, it’s a main entry point. There’s zero signage there about where to go if you want to find the busport. To your left is the sign that reads “Parking Lot,” to the right is a security office with a hallway that leads to the general station — but nothing tells you that. If you don’t know your way, it could become a guessing game.

I GOTTA PAY FOR THIS?: Yes, the parking costs are clearly displayed when you enter the garage. But on the way out, the sign reminding and directing customers to pay in the garage “lobby” is located on a support beam ten feet above your head. So while we noticed it, the eight cars that were clustered at the exit trying to get out without paying (or figuring out how to pay) obviously weren’t as observant. Mayhem. And it wasn’t just them. At least four other people asked directions to get to the “lobby,” which was right in front of them.

HOW AM I GONNA PAY FOR THIS? Worcesteria went to the pay lobby, walked up to the automated machines and — wait a minute. No credit cards accepted at this time? “Sorry for the inconvenience.” OK, no biggie. There’s still the ATM in Union Station. Back to the doors to the station and — wait a minute. They’re locked. If you take the last train in from Boston on a Saturday night and get in at midnight and don’t have cash on you, get ready to explore the Canal District looking for an ATM. (For the record, we’d like to thank the stragglers leaving the station who, sensing our frustration, held the doors for us to get back in.)

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sign Sign everywhere a sign
Blocking out the scenery breaking my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign


And the sign said long haired freaky people need not apply
So I tucked my hair up under my hat and I went in to ask him why
He said you look like a fine upstanding young man, I think you'll do
So I took off my hat I said imagine that, huh, me working for you

Bill, how's that Wayfarer Program coming along..........that has to do with signage too ???????

Also u still got that concrete bunker in front of your office on Pleasant st awaiting a sign now for how many years?

At least it's good protection from a terrorists attack vehicle.

Bill Randell said...

Jahn:

Is it just me or does anyone else see the ironies of building the Garage Mahal right across the street from a garage we plan on knocking down.

Wayfarer program.. It is so ridiculous that it is even hard to really even comment on.

Concrete bunker still in front of my office.

Bill

Anonymous said...

Professional construction managers would proabably tell me it isnt finacially feasible and you would need a very similar site as well, but I often wonder if that garage could be given to someone who needs it and then have them dismantle it piece by piece and ship it off to a new site, just the way it came in there almost 40 years.

Konnie would be proud of the Green-ness of re-cycling

Gabe said...

The part of the Wayfarer Program involving the urban part of Worcester is incredible. I love it personally.

Worcester Way and Lincoln Way and Grafton Way? Not so much.

Bill Randell said...

Gabe:

have you ever seen the one for Main South?

Bill