George Mason University - Mason Square (Arlington)
Van Metre Hall (formerly Founders Hall)
3351 Fairfax Drive
Arlington VA 22201

Event Parking & Directions ! !

Validated parking is available in the Van Metre Garage  with the NAACP QR Code and a Metropolis parking account.

The Van Metre Garage entrance is in the alley behind the main building, via Founders Way North. Enter the garage from Kirkwood Rd. in the middle of the block between Washington Blvd. and Fairfax Dr., across from St. Charles Church.

Watch for signs to Van Metre Hall by the elevators and when you get upstairs.

The venue is 2 blocks from the Virginia Square Metro Station, has plenty of bike parking, and bus stops in easy walking distance. And there is always Uber and Lyft! If you do plan to drive, be scroll down for important for details about parking. The garage is tricky to find, and there is an automated payment system that uses your license plate.

Directions & Details

VIP, Sponsors, VIP Tables & Awardee Guests - please scroll down this page for more details

Public Transportation - Metro Accessable

Metrorail stations on the Blue/Orange/Silver lines are very close. The Virginia Square station is 2 blocks away & Clarendon is also close,. Bus stops are within walking distance of the venue.

Biking

There is plenty of bike parking.

Parking - Finding the entrance is tricky

Paid parking is available in the Van Metre Garage. There are multiple garages, so be sure to enter the right one.

The garage entrance is in the alley behind the main building, via Founders Way North. Enter the garage from Kirkwood Rd. in the middle of the block between Washington Blvd. and Fairfax Dr., across from St. Charles Church. See photos below.

Please be sure to exit the garage before 10:00 pm.

Watch for signs to Van Metre Hall by the elevators and when you get upstairs.

Parking - Metropolis Parking License Plate System

Before going to the event Saturday (or at least before you leave the event) be sure take these steps to setup your parking account. There is limited cell service in the garage, so it is important to setup your account before going downstairs to leave the garage.

It is not like other garages where you exit with a credit card. Your license plate is your parking ticket - and you drive in and out of the garage without using any ticket machines. 

Visit the parking website https://app.metropolis.io/sign-in

Enter your phone number, then enter the code they send you

Provide your name and email address

Select Daily Vehicle (or Rental Vehicle if you have a rental car)

Enter your license plate number

Enter your payment method & click Save Card

Then you just drive in and out of the garage - there are scanners that read your license plate

Setup parking before going downstairs to the garage! Service downstairs is limited.

Mobile phone service is limited in the garage. Then you just drive in and out of the garage - there are scanners that read your license plate.

How much is parking?

Parking is free with the NAACP validation QR code in the Metropolis Parking system. You must use your phone to setup an account and add your correct license plate number before leaving the event to go downstairs to the garage.  

Van Metre Hall Garage Weekend Parking Rate: $10.00

Park in the Van Metre Garage

Be sure to setup your parking account at home, or before leaving the event.  There is limited cell service in the garage. Parking in the Van Metre Garage is included with your ticket - you don't need an parking account, just a voucher.

Van Metre Parking Garage

3351 Fairfax Drive Arlington VA 22201

The Van Metre Garage entrance is in the alley behind the main building, via Founders Way North. 

Look for the sign by the alley on Kirkwood Dr.

Enter the garage from Kirkwood Rd. in the middle of the block between Washington Blvd. and Fairfax Dr., across from St. Charles Church.

This is the alley, it's mid-block between Washington Blvd. and Fairfax Dr., across from St. Charles Church.

The Van Metre Garage is the first garage if you enter from Kirkwood Dr.

Enter the Van Metre Garage (there are multiple garages - double check the entrance sign)

Just drive in, you don't take a ticket (your license plate is your ticket) 

You can park in any spot that is not designated/reserve.

Remember your license plate number! Your license plate is your ticket. 

It's easiest to setup your parking account before you leave home. You will need your license plate number!

You will be prompted to set up a Metropolis account to register your car and provide credit card information. You need your license plate number!

NAACP purchased validations, you should not be charged for the duration of the event (if you stay past the designated event time, you may be charged for the extra time stayed beyond the event hours).  

Or you can setup your parking account upstairs (where there is cell service) before you leave the event and go down to the garage (where there isn’t service). You will need your license plate number!

Do not use the QR code in the garage - that is for the general public.

Please be sure to exit the garage before 10:00 pm or you might be charged.

The WiFi in the garage is limited so be sure to register your car before going downstairs after the event.

Once the banquet has ended, if you have registered your car via the QR code provided NAACP, the gate will raise as you exit the parking garage.

If you have not registered your car, you will be prompted to go through the registration and payment process at the gate before you can exit (if you do not use the validated QR code provided by NAACP, you are responsible for the parking fee).

We encourage visitors to complete the registration process prior to exiting the garage to limit congestion at the exit.