Parking update: Discount parking NO LONGER AVAILABLE in Westin garage!
FLASH!!
We have just received word that ownership of the parking garage beneath the Westin has changed. The new management is not offering any discount for hotel guests. Anthrocon apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause, and offers a solution:
The Grant Street Transportation Center is just across the street from the Westin. This is the home of the Amtrak and Greyhound stations. There are two parking garages both located at 55 11th Street. The Red Garage (enter at 11th and Liberty) has 428 spaces and 6'6" ceilings. The Blue Garage (enter Penn Avenue) has 563 spaces and 6'8" ceilings (8'2" up to level 2 only). Parking rates (M-F, 6 AM - 3:59 PM):
0-2 Hours$4.50
2-4 Hour$6.00
4-6 Hours$8.00
6-24 Hours$13.00
Repeat: Discount parking is no longer available in the garage beneath the Westin. Rates for self-parking in the underground garage beneath the hotel are as follows:
-2 Hours $8.00
2-4 Hours $14.00
4-8 Hours $16.00
8-12 Hours $19.00
12-24 Hours $20.00
Valet parking comes with additional charges.
Almost certainly not. If you leave and come back, they will restart the timer of your stay from zero.
They didn't last year. And if you left, odds are extremely good there won't be a place when you return.
Almost none of the parking lots/garages in downtown Pittsburgh offer in/out priveleges unless you have a monthly lease. On the other hand, public transportation is rather accessible near the convention center, so there are very few reasons to need your car during AC!
I'm just cute that way 
Friday Night > Sunday Night parking at ANY of the following garages are $5 daily.
http://www.downtownpittsburgh.com/parking/parking-map/evening-weekend-event-parking-5-max
The Grant Transportation Center is on the list. They do NOT have in-out privies. Every time you leave... $5. Now, on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (until evening) and Monday, see the rates that Kage listed as they are the going rates for those times.
This just makes my blood boil. These new owners are refusing to work out a better solution (I'm assuming AC staff has at least tried to work something out with them) and will probably walk away with an extra 20 or 40 grand in their pockets from the parking expenses over the course of one weekend.
How did this happen? Was a parking rate not negotiated in Anthrocon's contract with the Westin?
While I am not privy to Anthrocon's contract negotiations, I have experience with other conventions' contracts. Here's how it works:
1. Liberty Center is the entire complex bordered by Liberty and Penn Avenues and 10th and 11th Streets. It is owned by CB Richard Ellis, a large real estate investment company.
2. The Westin Pittsburgh Convention Center leases space from CB Richard Ellis (or conceivably may have purchased the property, but that's neither here nor there). Their lease/title does NOT include the parking garage, which services all of Liberty Center.
3. CB Richard Ellis contracts with Network Parking to operate the Liberty Center Parking Garage.
4. Anthrocon's contract is with the Westin; in exchange for filling their hotel, Anthrocon gets certain concessions which may or may not include things as discounted room rates, free use of the function space, etc.
5. Anthrocon probably does NOT have a contract with Network Parking, which is used to having their parking garage mostly empty on weekends. Yes, they could offer a contract for discounted rates, then it becomes a tradeoff - what is it worth to fill the garage? Could they fill it anyway if they didn't discount the rates? Will it cover any additional manpower it costs to operate the garage? And finally, is any goodwill gained with the hotel in offering those discounts? The previous operator of the parking garage seemed to think it was worth their time and money to play ball; Network Parking clearly feels otherwise. Unfortunately, Anthrocon has no leverage to change this, and we're stuck with this situation.
It sucks, but it's no one's fault, really. It's businesses behaving like businesses.
As far as I understood, neither the Westin nor the DLCC owned the parking garage (I may be wrong) but if that was the case, then no contracts between AC and the Westin/DLCC would apply to the change of ownership.
In any case, there is no use with anyone getting pissed about it. They made up their minds. They are going to upset a bunch of furs and said furs will end up parking elsewhere. Once they see the drop in revenue, they will probably offer discounts come 2011 but I know... I know... that doesn't help anyone this year.
Yes. That's if there is a drop in revenue anyway, and unless word manages to get out to every driving attendee that there are better parking options before they venture unwittingly into the parking lot beneath the Westin, they're still going to see a higher-than-usual income compared to the average weekend.
I'm glad this announcement was made, but I wonder how many folks are going to learn only too late that they'll be paying twice as much for parking as they planned...
unless word manages to get out to every driving attendee that there are better parking options before they venture unwittingly into the parking lot beneath the Westin
Well, there's our Parking page:
http://www.anthrocon.org/parking
It lists numerous local alternatives within a few blocks. And I put the word out on our Twitter feed, too. What more would you like us to do?
[Edit: Added clarification]
I posted the above link on Furtopia forums! > general furry discussion > convention talk > Anthrocon 2010
Since we will be attending and we know several of our members will be attending also.
oh and anyone know if there is handicapped parking anywhere around the con? Haven't been to the new location.
Given how close we are to the con, your best bet would be to call the Westin (or a parking garage, if you want to park there) and ask them.
Does anyone know if valet parking will still be available at the Westin? It might be worth the extra it will cost if I don't have to deal with parking my car or having to deal with getting it out.
I believe the only thing that has changed is the lack of a discount, parking is still available albeit at full price.
Actually Sgt Steve they did have it last year, i still have the receipt in my wallet. Also, whats the maximum fee if you loose your ticket? 
lol, no problem.
I wouldn't try the "lost ticket" gambit if I were you. Last year, checking out Monday afternoon, I was yelled at by the attendant, who accused me of trying to cheat them, "Just like all you other damned weirdos!" because apparently everyone and their brother was trying to get out for the max "lost ticket" amount, which, wahtever it was, was less than what most people owed. As it happens, they keep some kind of record of the cars that are there overnight, or at least they were able to confirm that I'd been there since Friday morning. (Which is exactly what I told the guy before he checked. I just lost my damned ticket!)
For the sake of not coming off like a bunch of cheap assholes, I suggest just paying what you owe and not trying to play it coy.
Yeah, I went through the same; lost my ticket during the con and the parking attendant was an absolute ass about it; he couldn't possibly have been any more offensive, outright accusing me of lying about how long my car had been there, even after he checked their records (they note down every license plate that's in the garage overnight every night)...just very insulting the whole time. After that, I'm not really all that upset about having to find somewhere else to park anyway. The only problem is going to be getting luggage up to the hotel room from a garage further away.
If we receive any further reports of this sort of activity, we will have to make certain arrangements to ensure it does not become a problem. I am sure those people who wish to continue parking at the Westin.. staying at the Westin.. and attending Anthrocon will abide by the rules and pay responsibly if they wish to park there.
--Chi
Why do people insist on bringing these things to our attention when it is far too late for us to do anything about them?
If this fellow or any of his colleagues treat you rudely, simply note what is written on his nametag and report it to the Westin's concierge.
I apologize if you would have preferred I bring it up. Honestly, I didn't think it was really worth making an issue out of; it was basically the sole issue I dealt with at all during a great con last year, and I figured the best thing to do was just avoid it next year without making any trouble for con staff. I -did- lose my ticket, after all, so it was a situation of my own making. If I'd realized he'd been as rude to a number of other people, I would have said something to try to stop it from happening again, but as a single incident, it didn't seem worth anyone else's time.
If it happens again this year, just include a little note about it in our post-con survey. If we get multiple complaints, we can just take them all to the CVB after the con and let them pass the complaints along to the parking company.
Nah, I park in the hotel garage for security and ease of departure. *usually puts a car cover on his car in the garage.* I arrived at ac weds at 1pm and left Monday at 11am. Cost me 100 dollars, 50 dollars more out of my substantial budget wasn't something to cry about. I only brought up the "lost ticket" issue in jest, I didn't know it was an actual issue. I figured they take some sorta roll call each day in case someone did loose their ticket. I would of valeted if I didn't suspect they'd go Ferris Bueller on my car.
I have a question, if anyone's willing to answer (sorry if it's been asked before). Do I gotta put up cash at the Westin garage, or would I be able to use plastic? Thanks.
I've paid with credit the last few years (they have an automated machine) But then again, I havent parked there since they changed management. So I don't know for sure.
I think the "GATE FEE" as its usually called, used for a lost ticket was $50 to get your car out if my memory serves correctly. May be a option if you leave your vehicle sedentary for 5 days, but is not a good an idea. If more than a few, they could increase their rate, or be less likely to offer a discount for next year. (or eliminate all possibility of future discounts) DONT DO EET KIDS!
I know I'll still park at the Westin WHEN I GET THERE.... and then check out the neighboring garages. Didn't need to take my truck anywhere last year, it sat still for more than 12 hours for the only time during its life with me *lol* for 4 days straight!
Better not be some sports team park-blocking the front door to the hotel this time, forcing me to drive laps until I overheat my engine. *shakes fist old man style*
EDIT: fixed grammer. Also... this could be WHY THERE IS NO DISCOUNT this year, because so many people pissed them off last year.
$20/day isn't too bad...that's cheaper than it was before the discount last year, isn't it?
nah its been 20 a day as long as i can remember, and the discount ticket took off 50% of that so it was 10 a day. im personally still going to park under the westin, as its more convinent for us then parking elsewhere
Stayed at Westin Fri Sat and Sun nights and parked at the Conv Ctr (not Westin) garage. I was
there from maybe 9 or 10 am Fri till about 2 pm Sunday and actually it wound up being $30; was
putting some stuff in my car and I thought, hey, maybe I should exit now and try that Grant St.
Transpo Ctr. So I went in the blue garage and got a spot right at the top of the first ramp...
had my car there till about 8 am Mon when I was heading to airport and it came to $9.50 I think
($5 for Sunday, $4.50 for 6-8 am Mon). And I thought maybe I should have parked there to begin
with. From the _front_ part of the transpo ctr you just cross the street and you're at the back
entrance of Westin (doors lead you to the hall with Brown Bag Deli, Panini n Pizza, etc.)
Not too bad at all. Next year...
Parking fees add up...not only was I paying for my rental car's parking in downtown Pitt. but my own car was being charged $10 a day ($90 total for my long trip) back at the airport in New
Hampshire...saving a few bucks in Pitt. helps.
10:30 AM Friday through 7:30 PM Sunday cost me $23 in the blue garage. Next year I'll try for the red one which is a little closer.
Too bad the DLCC's garage has that "$20 after 15 hours" deal on weekends, instead of $10 all day 
It costed me $119 in parking at the westin from wednesday-monday. Took the car out twice, once Friday to drive around downtown a little, and again Sunday evening to check up before a 1500+ mile drive home in a nearly antique car...
Was NOT impressed.... last year parking costed me $40... I got a pre-mo-spot next to the elevator that went RIGHT INTO THE ZOO but wasn't worth the extra cost. Definitely finding other parking next year. Or bringing "alternate" license plates for a gate fee. <----(lol joke)
lol I got the corner across from that elevator bank
I parked at the Grant street parking garage 5:00 pm Thursday thru 5:00 pm Sunday, was $31. Did not leave at all during the con, will park there again next year!
I parked at the garage at 9th and Penn and it was $9.75 a day. Used the same garage last year.
Yet I still think im going to park under the hotel for convienence/peace of mind.
Thanks for the update Kage, hopefully this allows people to plan accordingly.