Standard Parking

This only gets an additional star because the guy at the Security Desk was nice and helpful.
I’ve been seeing hubbub in local papers about Kendall Square becoming more of a nighttime hotspot. Well, providing ample parking options would be a start! We went to Kika, which opened several months ago. EVOO is right next to it and there are some other restaurants in the area. Given that, I’m surprised that the garage is still only open until 10 on a Friday night and not later.
It’s my own fault that I didn’t check to see how late the garage was open — I’ll admit that. I naturally assumed that having a leisurely meal would not be a problem. We got back to the garage at 9:59 pm and the door was already down. We looked at each other dumbfounded, trying to figure out what the next move was, as it was a Friday night and the garage wouldn’t be open again ’til Monday morning.
While we were standing there the door opened and someone drove out, and we darted in. OK, so we got to our car, now there was the problem of how to get out. We thought we’d try inserting our ticket and credit card and see what happened. The mechanical arm went up but nothing happened as we drove forward (i.e., the door didn’t open). I was afraid to stay there, lest the arm come back down and thwap my car. We backed up and the arm went back down again, so now we were out the ticket and payment as well.
This was my first time at the garage and I only found Security by walking around, seeing a door that seemed to lead somewhere, and following it. (I should point out that when I called the number listed on the garage’s sign, there was no answer.) Eventually I came to the main lobby with a manned reception desk. The security guy was sympathetic and tried to get a hold of the other security person, the one who’d be able to let us out. He tried a couple of times while I was standing there but there was no answer.
When I went back inside the garage, my husband and I heard someone shouting «Hello? Hello?» from a couple of levels above us, so apparently someone else had managed to get to his car but couldn’t figure out how to get out. About 5 minutes later the second security person came out and lifted the arm for us. (We did not have to pay a second time.) We were supposed to drive RIGHT UP to the door in order for it to open, but there was no signage and it’s not intuitive.
Given the previous review, the other person bleating «hello? hello?» throughout the garage, management could do a heck of a better job with signage, informing people of what to do if it’s after the 10 pm mark, having a grace period for people to get their cars out (if it’s 9:59 and the door’s already closed, you’re not giving stragglers a chance).
There many reasons to hang out in Kendall Square after work, but from now on I will rely on the red line and bus system to get me home, which isn’t foolproof either. But it beats standing in an empty parking garage, not knowing if you’re going to get out and when.

Parked here tonight for an event nearby. Made note as I left the garage that it closes at 10pm. Left my event a little early to retrieve my car from the garage. Got to the garage at about 9:53pm. Walked past the 2 attendants who were working, made eye contact with both of them, and even spoke to one of them. I walked 2 rows over, got in my car, pulled the ticket and money from my purse and drove over to pay. The clock attached to the booth said it was 21:55. That’s 9:55pm. The doors were closed and the guys were gone. In the 2 minutes it took me to walk past them, get in my car, and drive the 20 feet to the exit, they had locked up and left, despite the fact that they had just seen me and spoken to me. Nice. Real nice.
I ended up having to talk to building security to get my car out. Had to fill out paperwork and am supposed to send a check to Standard Parking for the fee. I’ll send the check, but in addition to this review, you’re also going to get a strongly worded letter. If the garage is open until 10pm, someone should be there until 10pm. And if you’re going to look at me and speak to me, don’t be an ass and lock me in and take off before your shift is really done.