“Sketchy Garage ‘Citations'”?

“Dear PoPville,

Wondering if anyone else has had experience with the parking garage under The Chase at Bryant Street, run by Bozutto (680 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002)

I was there on a Sunday two weeks ago for about 45 minutes to visit a retail location (District Dogs, they are amazing) that hadn’t completely opened yet. The parking garage is run by “Premium Parking” uses a confusing third-party app you’ve got to separately download. At the same time, the parking garage has no gates and also signs saying “Retail Parking Free!” (no specified time limit). There was even a garage attendant who said they didn’t know if the system was up and working. So I parked, did my errand, and left.

A week later this “citation” with a City of New Orleans seal shows up at my door.

The company designed it to look like a New Orleans city/municipal ticket where the company is HQ’d and the “fine” for not paying for 45 minutes of parking is $65!!! The normal charge would have been $3.00 M-F, with no information listed about weekend parking rates. A full 24 hour rate would have been just $20. The “citation” literally shows my car was only in the garage for 45 minutes.

I asked around, and it turns out several other people have been getting these “citations” despite the confusing signage (retail parking free?), unclear website rates/third party app, and most of the retail still under construction.

I’d prefer not to let it go to collections, but I’m also really irked by the misleading instructions, predatory charge, and fake city of New Orleans seal on the citation. I’m also confused whether DC has supplied license plate/personal information or if my home address is online floating around connected to my vehicle plate? Any advice?“