Ryan J. Stanton

Wed, Jan 13, 2010 : 3:47 p.m.

Just thought I'd share that the number to call to pay by phone at an e-park station is 1-888-450-7275. You still have to enter a four-digit location number that's on the side of the pay station and the four-digit space number where you parked. Only VISA and MasterCard are accepted and a 35-cent service fee applies to each payment. There's also a disclaimer on the machine that "other fees may apply." For more information, go to www.annarborepark.com.

Ryan J. Stanton

Wed, Jan 13, 2010 : 3:44 p.m.

For clarification purposes, I am noting that though the vote was unanimous of members present, Jennifer Hall, Roger Hewitt and Newcombe Clark were absent.

Julie

Wed, Jan 13, 2010 : 11:13 a.m.

Blicero -- greed? Really? As I said before, all those 10 cents will add up for the city in a way that is good for all of us. Thay 10 cents was never yours to begin with, anyway!

Blicero

Wed, Jan 13, 2010 : 8:28 a.m.

@Lincoln8, thank you for the clarification. I never would've figured that out (because I don't bother looking at a receipt for $0.30). - That just proves that they want to prevent people from pulling into a space with time already on it. Does the greed never end?

stupid

Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 10:07 p.m.

Couldnt find a better way to spend 2 million? only if they have eliminated meter maids with this i will be satisfied. Did this save us any money? It couldnt have cost anything to keep the old meters in good repair, oh yea and 900k for worthless direction signs? Yet the city still complains about not haviong enough money so they cut jobs and services, yet between these two worthless endeavors there is 3million wasted. BTW. For those of you that say paying with your cell phone is very convienent. What % of the population do you believe is actually set up to do this. Id say 20 years from now about 50%. This is Public parking were talking about.

Concerned Citizen

Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 9:42 p.m.

1.) The "Survey" was filled out only by those who had the time and inclination to do so. Right off the bat this is a flawed selection process for gathering unbiased information regarding patron satisfaction. [ For the simplest of many examples: A person who was already running behind schedule due to the slowdown in "feeding the meter" would most assuredly be unlikely to "waste" more time taking a "survey". ] 2.) Why is the DDA cluttering up Ann Arbor with assorted fixtures and apparatus rather than helping to beautify the area, and keep the commercial storefronts visible and accessible to customers old and new?

The Picker

Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 6:38 p.m.

Is it true that the merchants are reimbursing you for parking, with a receipt?

Paul the Malcontent

Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 6:36 p.m.

Thanks for the clarification Ryan. The sentence in this story however reads as if the $100,000 annual revenue from the lot @ 350 S. Fifth Ave. would cover the costs of the actual meters ("DDA board member Sandi Smith, also a City Council member, said the money will help OFFSET THE INSTALLATION of parking meters in residential neighborhoods."). Your reply correctly states "...the $100,000 from the DDA will help OFFSET some of THAT PROJECTED SHORTFALL FROM NOT INSTALLING meters in neighborhoods." Big difference.

Ryan J. Stanton

Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 4:37 p.m.

@Paul As we reported back in October, the installation of new parking meters was identified before the start of the current fiscal year as a way of raising an extra $380,000 in the city's general fund budget. Some of the meters have been installed, while most were put on hold. It's assumed the $100,000 from the DDA will help offset some of that projected shortfall from not installing meters in neighborhoods.

Lincoln8

Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 3:39 p.m.

Jerome- Just to answer your question, you can add time to the paystation without lossing time. In order to do this you need your recipt on which is a "add time" number, but it will still not allow you to exceed the posted limit (2hrs avg). It still is a hassel but thats how you do it.

Cici

Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 2:40 p.m.

And you expect me to shop or eat downtown?? Gotta' be kidding about this joke on taxpayers......

Jerome

Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 2:07 p.m.

Please, could someone confirm (one way or the other) whether oldgaffer above was correct in what was written, "Contrary to Mitch's post, the new pay station meters do not offer "flexibility" and in fact have been programmed by the City to prohibit adding time to the time already paid for. The meters were designed to allow adding more time but the City's greed won out. Once you buy time on the new meters you can not go back and add time like you could with the individual meters; instead you have to wait until the meter expires and then buy more time." If oldgaffer is correct, and if that is the way City Hall has this system programmed, well, then it's about time to take to the streets.

Jerome

Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 2:01 p.m.

A resounding AMEN!!!! to oldgaffer's post above where it was written, "Time to broom City Hall of its fat cat bureaucrats who have better salaries and benefits than most of the citizens they are screwing."

jeff4179

Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 1:27 p.m.

Seriously, our elected officials are so out of touch and unaccountable. Take a few minutes to read the nonscientific poll of 68 people cited in the comments that was cited for the "unanimous" popularity of the kiosks. No one asked "do you prefer them to parking meters" (many of those answering "yes" to the "easy to use" question commented "but not as easy as parking meters"). And no one asked on the survey "do you think that the city should spend $2.3 million dollars of your tax money replacing parking meters with kiosks." I have a feeling the answer would have been a resounding "are you freaking kiddin me? Of course not."

Adam Jaskiewicz

Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 11:18 a.m.

Expecting people to have a cell phone is pretty reasonable these days. More reasonable than expecting them to have a land-line, or being able to write a check. I'd much rather carry a cell phone than have to keep a handful of quarters in my pocket or deal with machines rejecting wrinkly dollar bills. It's not like it doesn't accept cash, so you still have that option. 35-cent "convenience" charge? Can't add time? Can only buy time in 1-hour increments via cell phone? Those are the problems that bother me. Cell phone payment means you can install fewer kiosks and thus save money. Encourage people to use it; don't make them pay extra for "convenience" or force them to pay for time they won't use. It seems to me like this technology can make things a lot easier and more convenient for everyone. If people LIKE the system, they will be more willing to park, and the city will make more money from parking. From what I'm reading in these comments, it isn't set up that way, though.

Julie

Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 11:11 a.m.

Well, I like them A LOT. I hate having to carry change and prefer the flexibililty. I like being able to pay more at a distant kiosk. I like that my receipt tells me at what time my meter will run out. I like the way they look. And I have a totally different view about the 15 cents that now can't carry over to the next person.... All those little 15 cents will help the city, and we NEED it!!! And I am OK with donating that 15 cents that wasn't mine anyway.

Ryan J. Stanton

Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 10:56 a.m.

Here's the survey: http://a2docs.org/doc/119/

oldgaffer

Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 10:14 a.m.

Contrary to Mitch's post, the new pay station meters do not offer "flexibility" and in fact have been programmed by the City to prohibit adding time to the time already paid for. The meters were designed to allow adding more time but the City's greed won out. Once you buy time on the new meters you can not go back and add time like you could with the individual meters; instead you have to wait until the meter expires and then buy more time. Time to broom City Hall of its fat cat bureaucrats who have better salaries and benefits than most of the citizens they are screwing.

walker101

Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 9:28 a.m.

150 reasons not to go into downtown.

Hilary U Cohen

Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 9:23 a.m.

I've had my share of the problems other people have noted: machines that won't take coins or bills or take the coins without giving credit, waiting in the cold for people having trouble figure out the new system, calling the "help" number posted to learn that the staff know as little as we do. I've tried the cell phone account (seems like a good idea) but discovered two surprises I didn't see in the brochure. There is a 35 cent service charge per use and you have to pay in one hour increments. Makes a ten minute errand a little expensive. Hilary

Jim Zamberlan

Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 9:23 a.m.

I like the idea of being able to pay via cell phone but be aware that if you choose this option there is an additional "convenience charge" of 35 cents. I learned this the first (and only) time I tried it.

discgolfgeek

Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 8:46 a.m.

They will serve to keep me away from downtown as much as possible -- I want to pay right there at the space and if someone left some time on the meter, that is their gift to me, not the city who is trying to double-dip on the money. And while we are at it, let's just make those meters 24/7 so we can kill off downtown that much faster.

Blicero

Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 8:25 a.m.

As with most municipal tech, the software seems to have been written by monkeys. Put a proper UX team on the job and those meters would be a dream to use. Instead, they take to long to use, they spit out receipts w/o the option to decline, and I'm pretty sure they are set up to rip you off. The last time I tried to "Add Time" to a space, I'm pretty certain it wiped the time I already had before allowing me to buy more. - The city is probably going to make bank just because you will never again pull into a spot and find time already on the meter. It makes sure that every one starts from zero. SCAM.

Andy T

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 11:53 p.m.

Add me to the list of Luke-haters. I don't have a huge problem with them in theory, except for their pathetic speed. In the middle of winter, a prepared driver can feed a meter and be gone in seconds, before your nose freezes off. Now, you're removing your gloves to fumble with your credit card...waiting...waiting...waiting. I won't even get into robbing you of the little joy of finding 10 free minutes on a meter. I have to agree, I specifically look for spots with classic meters, and when my only choice is these droids, I'll head downtown less for quick trips.

Concerned Citizen

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 9:47 p.m.

The "Wayfinding signs" the "Parking Kiosks" and the "Art" bicycle parking stands are cluttering up Ann Arbor. They are the equivalent of Bollinger's Halo! The second "D" in DDA supposedly represents "Development" but more and more it seems to represent "Decoration". PLEASE, is there anyway to get rid of the wayfinding signs? ( Has anyone else noticed that those located west on Liberty from the Federal Building directing readers to the generic "Bus Station" send them off to the Greyhound station completely screwing them over if their intended destination was the AATA BUS STATION??? ) These signs block commercial window displays, advertising on awnings, and are obstructive to pedestrians. It really seems that the DDA has too big a budget and too much time available at taxpayer's expense and as a result are coming up with "projects" that are NOT helpful to downtown commerce and rather than enriching Ann Arbor, they are cluttering it up.

Macabre Sunset

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 9:21 p.m.

It just seems like the city paid a ton of money just to milk existing customers and annoy those of us who don't want to walk two blocks out of our way and wait in line ten minutes to do something that took 15 seconds in the past. I'm sure the technology is easy to learn. That's not the issue. The issue is the extra hassle of having to think about it beforehand, wonder what in the world I will face when I get there. Will the system even work? Do the meter maids know their assets from their elbows? What cell number do I dial should I decide to embark on that adventure? Do I have enough time to find a kiosk and wait in line? Will it accept my slightly bent dollar bills? To sum it up, it seems like a giant time tax on visitors for a city too lazy to collect its quarters one meter at a time, like everyone else.

Lokalisierung

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 7:12 p.m.

"And since apparently we are all expected to have cell phones and credit cards at the ready for use with these new parking stations..." Why do people keep inferring that you cannot use coins in the new kiosks when you can? You can use coins....get it? Again just complaining without even knowing anyting about it; how Ann Arbor.

aes

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 6:47 p.m.

"I understand that you can go over to city hall and have a chip implanted in your head (pre-paid of course), to make your life, wonderfully easy. No change, no credit cards,no fuss, just bliss." This is the best comment so far. And since apparently we are all expected to have cell phones and credit cards at the ready for use with these new parking stations without exception--maybe the requirement by the DDA for us to have an implanted chip in our heads will not be far in the future. This DOES NOT make for a thriving downtown!

MikeyP

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 6:44 p.m.

I haven't used these meters, and as someone who rarely carries cash (or change, I need quarters for laundry so I don't want to use them for parking) they sound like a good idea in theory. Apparently they are not exactly ideal in practice, either due to a learning curve and/or an implementation issue. Too bad there's no AVI-like device (the things that campus carports read to lift/lower gate arms) that could register that the owner has parked in such-and-such a street space for X-minutes and simply charge them automatically or even send them a bill at the end of the month (obviously they'd have to have an account set up first.) That way regular users could skip the whole payment procedure, perhaps could pay a lower rate, etc. I'm sure there will be detractors regardless of what system is implemented (you can never please everyone) but hopefully they can work out the bugs in this system (since we're obviously stuck with it) and it will work reasonably well in the end.

The Picker

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 6:23 p.m.

I understand that you can go over to city hall and have a chip implanted in your head (Pre-paid of coarse), to make your life, wonderfully easy. No change, no credit cards,no fuss, just bliss.

oldgaffer

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 6:05 p.m.

Leah Gunn is sorely misinformed and the DDA is out-of-touch with reality. The pay stations are uniformly hated by both the public and the cops who have to ticket those who either don't use them or can't use them-- and a lot fall into that second category. Before the kiosks I could feed the meter in 10 seconds. Now I have to queue up behind a bunch of people to feed the same pay station, and this can take several minutes when the folks in front of me are challenged in different ways and have trouble understanding the instructions, don't have plastic, or punch in the wrong numbers-- while we all suffer, often in the pouring rain or driving snow. The DDA has once again demonstrated its irrelevance to a workable downtown.

Jake C

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 6:04 p.m.

@Atticus: "To say "people should just use their credit cards" is a stupid statement that is out of touch with reality, and is the equivalent of saying 'let them eat cake'. A)Alot of people have prepaid phones B)Some people choose NOT to own a credit card" A) The majority of people have cell phones. B) Some people choose NOT to carry around large amounts of change in their cars or wallets, and prefer to carry credit cards. People who don't like a new system will complain. And complainers will always "out-voice" people who like a new system but don't make a bunch of noise about how they like it.

Macabre Sunset

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 6:04 p.m.

I just have a pre-paid cell for use only in emergencies. I doubt it has the sophistication necessary for the application. Also, are these necessarily secure connections? I'd rather not send credit card information through a wireless link out in public like that. Better just to avoid the meters. There's nothing all that important downtown any more. Liz Brater began a rather thorough retail exodus back in her day. This should just about finish the job.

robra

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 6:04 p.m.

The new meters are horrible -- I hate them. You have to find the payment kiosk, and wait in line. I've missed an appointment waiting for the line in front of me to pay. I also miss the ability to find a full meter and add money to it. Now when you park, you must add money no matter how much was 'left on the meter.'

Regular Voter

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 6:03 p.m.

We're living through a post industrial economic calamity. From reading these posts it appears it is not true that "everybody likes" these devices. While it may only have caused eye rolling a few years ago, now people are worried and scared about their situations. Note to incumbents who feel entitled to reelection: be careful about showing voters how out of touch you are.

a2phiggy

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 5:50 p.m.

At 2.28 Million, what is the estimated break even point, versus keeping meters that accept coins? Seems like an exorbitant amount of money, especially considering the fact that many residents' most basic needs remain unmet.

The Picker

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 5:44 p.m.

Is there a differance between City Council and the DDA?

Atticus F.

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 5:29 p.m.

To say "people should just use their credit cards" is a stupid statement that is out of touch with reality, and is the equivalent of saying 'let them eat cake'. A)Alot of people have prepaid phones B)Some people choose NOT to own a credit card C)people have been already been complaining that paying by phone is complicated, and doesn't work from some phones.

tdw

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 5:29 p.m.

Although I avoid Ann Arbor, does this mean that if I don't use a credit card ( I've fired those crooks) I can't park with change?I really have no idea what these things are or whats going on.Can someone give a quick explaination?

Paul the Malcontent

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 5:22 p.m.

"DDA board member Sandi Smith, also a City Council member, said the money will help offset the installation of parking meters in residential neighborhoods." Does this mean that they are proceeding with the installation of the additional meters and this money will cover the $87,000 estimated cost of those meters? Or should it actually say that the new revenue will "offset some of the projected shortfall from not installing meters in neighborhoods" as stated in the 12-22-2009 article that this sentence has a link to?

Adam Jaskiewicz

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 4:37 p.m.

Bonsai, I don't like change either. It's heavy, and clinks around in my pocket. I look forward to the day when I don't need to use it to pay for parking.

Bonsai

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 4:05 p.m.

anyone ever notice that nobody in ann arbor likes any sort of change? wait a year or two and nobody will even remember the meters. Mick52 -- the idea that a DDA completely independent of city council would be more ethical is ridiculous. this is a body that captures large amounts of tax dollars from the city and schools and can spend it for things like wayfinding signs. city councilors, representing the people from whom the revenue is collected, should have as much input as possible.

MjC

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 4:03 p.m.

Did anyone ask us, the users of these things? Because no one really knows how to work them! Especially visitors from out of town.

Adam Jaskiewicz

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 3:59 p.m.

Macabre Sunset, if you're worried about finding a kiosk and waiting in line, pay from your cell phone.

mtlaurel

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 3:50 p.m.

Machine age seems to mean rip off as for as those are concerned.Really ridiculous that someones 8 or 10 minutes leftover can't pass to the next guy. GEEZ.Just had to do it that way didn't you? Can't you irritate people a little more?

tdw

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 3:48 p.m.

Boy I'm sooo glad that I've always avoided Ann Arbor whenever I could/can

Adam Jaskiewicz

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 3:48 p.m.

Edward, thanks for the link. Interesting that these are so expensive; I wouldn't expect them to be so much pricier than the regular meters, at least once the infrastructure is in place. Mick brings up a valid point, though this could be alleviated by adding more kiosks, and by encouraging people to pay via their cell phones. This sounds like a great idea in theory. And the name (LUKE) is great.

Macabre Sunset

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 3:47 p.m.

My first experience took me by surprise. Just poles sticking out of the ground where there used to be parking meters. Since I was only going to be there 15-20 minutes and I didn't see a kiosk anywhere, I just chanced it. No problem. But now I find I'm avoiding downtown. Sure, it would be convenient to pay with a credit card. But when I'm shopping, I don't want to have to alter my trip to find a kiosk. I don't want to wait in line with people. I don't want the frustration of seeing someone struggle to use one. I don't want the uncertainty of worrying I'm getting a ticket while I'm waiting in line and my car is out of sight. In other words, the slight convenience of no longer having to collect quarters is overshadowed by the major inconvenience of not being able to pay where I park my car. I don't know who this woman surveyed, but when a change is such a major negative that it actually keeps people out of the area, reporting that everyone loves it seems a lot like fiddling while downtown is burning. As for the revenue increase, have they factored in the closing of the library lot? I used to park there pretty much every time I went downtown. Seemed like a heavy-use short-term lot, and the closing forces you to look for street parking.

Ryan J. Stanton

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 3:33 p.m.

We still don't have a copy of the survey that was cited, but I am told by one DDA official that it showed a 70 percent positive opinion regarding the pay stations. There were concerns discussed at last week's meeting that they may not be convenient for disabled people, but DDA officials said there's a phone number that can be used to pay by cell phone, so one could argue that actually makes it more convenient.

treetowncartel

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 3:29 p.m.

Downtown Hipsilanti it is then.

Mick52

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 3:27 p.m.

Edward, I don't think the enforcement is that simple. What could happen is that as the report is printed a driver can go to a car drive away and another car can take the space. That car's driver then pays before the officer gets to the space which is now paid for. So I think there is another step, like after the printout is received the officer has to verify the car in each space is truly in an expired spot. So I think after getting a list of expired spots they have to record license plates and then get a new report to see if the space is still expired. This is important in that a driver could be paying just as the printout is made by phone or at another kiosk. I hope this makes sense, but use of parking kiosks adds the problem of a car leaving a space and another taking it after the printout is made but before the ticket is issued. An officer can't go by a single printout, particularly if s/he cant see all the cars in the spaces noted in the printout. I hope they have this covered.

Mick52

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 3:13 p.m.

Interesting point JAM and Adam. I think Adam is correct, the space number could be punched into a handheld device that would report it a car is in a space with expired time. Hopefully the driver is not standing in line trying to pay when the officer produces a citation. Another potential problem with this system.

Bob Needham

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 3:11 p.m.

djm12652, the rate increase went into effect July 1

Adam Jaskiewicz

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 3:01 p.m.

JAM, I'm not sure how this system works, but since the kiosks are interconnected, it stands to reason that the actual info of what parking spaces are paid for is stored on a computer somewhere. A mobile device of some sort---a tablet PC or some sort of specialized device like the gizmos UPS drivers have for you to sign for your packages---could fairly trivially tap inot that information. This could be combined with GPS data, highlighting parking spaces on a map on the attendant's dashboard even. Again, I have no idea how this system actually works, but being familiar with computers and what could easily be done with current technology, that's how I'd design it. This just makes sense from a technological standpoint. Whether this particular system is well-implemented or not I can't say. None of this is exotic/difficult/expensive technology. The hard part is designing it in such a way that it is fast, convenient, and intuitive.

Mick52

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 2:59 p.m.

It appears that among readers they are not popular. Add me to that tally. They allow the city to double dip. If there is time left on a space from the previous parker, you do not get it, which you did with meters. Seems unfair, something that should be decided by residents. If you overpay, you should get a refund, or let the next car occupy the paid-for space. Also once I tried to add time by phone and found it complicated and the system would not accept my debit card. I called and spoke with a very nice young man w/parking or DDA who could not understand what the problem was. Plenty of money on my account, but no luck. And my bank did not refuse it, I checked there too. On another occasion, I tried to add time from a different Kiosk for my car parked way down the street. Even though I was trying to pay before my time expired, per my receipt, the kiosk told me my time was zero. So I was paying twice for the same few minutes left simply trying to add time to my space. So to me its a bad project, lets the city double dip and does not work well. Parking should be free. We pay enough already in property tax and sales tax and for useless art projects. I like the DDA and I think Susan Pollay is great but I feel the city is putting too much pressure on the DDA. The DDA should be independent, members elected, and free of city council influence. Just to keep things ethical.

djm12652

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 2:58 p.m.

I haven't found too many people happy with the kiosks. But my question is when did the parking rate go up? I parked on Saturday at a coin fed meter on 4th Ave. The meter cost used to be $.25 for 15 minutes. Now, the first quarter gets you 13 minutes and the second gets you 12 minutes...what's the deal with this?

JAM

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 2:39 p.m.

So how do the meter enforcement people know if someone deserves a ticket for overstaying their welcome? There is no longer a flashing meter to alert them. And trying to figure out where the nearest kiosk is is not always intuitive, either.

John Galt

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 2:37 p.m.

Another city boondoggle. And another reason to continue to avoid downtown. Ann Arbor is a humorous city to observe. I wonder how many years it will take to recover the revenue that is to be spent on these devices? And how many customers have been lost to downtown business over the years to city "revenue" projects? All to pay for fountains, art, wayfinding signs and "green belt" initiatives.

Barb

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 2:27 p.m.

Yeah, the whole pay-by-cell-phone thing is a great idea. As usual, everyone complains when things are made easier for them. Heaven forbid we should a minute while someone learns how to use something new. Remember when self-scanners when into stores and it was slow at first? Not anymore.

pegret

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 2:04 p.m.

"We have found that EVERYONE likes them!" Leah Gunn and the rest of the DDA, can you say "out of touch"?

Adam Jaskiewicz

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 2:01 p.m.

I haven't used one of these yet, so I'll withhold my judgment on the devices. Being able to pay for parking from my cell phone seems like a great idea. I don't have a problem paying for parking; I do have a problem remembering to run back to my car to shove another quarter into the meter if I decide to grab a cup of coffee instead of heading straight back to my car.

Powergarden

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 1:57 p.m.

I agree that it's nice to be able to use a credit card but often with the kiosks you have to wait while someone is trying to figure out how to pay. One of my other concerns about the new parking set up is that the parking space markers are now dark blue at the top. It now is a lot more difficult to tell if a space is a handicapped spot. The city should have chosen colors with more contrast that would have been easier to distinguish.

millermaple

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 1:56 p.m.

and the $900,000 "wayfinding signs" are making it more difficult to walk in the winter since snow & ice can't be removed under & around the signs.

aes

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 1:40 p.m.

Did the DDA also conduct a study that revealed positive feedback about the huge, ugly blue "pathfinder" signs, some of which actually point in the wrong direction and provide mostly confusion as well as sign pollution downtown? I have not spoken anyone who likes those, either. The whole downtown is going in the WRONG DIRECTION lately, I fear.

Barb

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 1:35 p.m.

Wow, um, I really like them. I guess I'll have more options for parking spots since so many others will refuse to use them.

ChrisW

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 1:35 p.m.

Using a credit card to pay for parking is great. The user interface of those kiosks is abysmal. They are slow, confusing, and annoying. I've had to wait behind people for 10 minutes while they figure them out. Not to mention that parking rates throughout the city can now be raised by flipping a switch. I can't believe that someone would say that "We have found that everybody likes them" because nobody I know likes them.

Ryan J. Stanton

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 1:31 p.m.

DDA officials cited a study and evaluation conducted by the Operations Committee that obtained positive feedback about the pay stations.

aes

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 1:31 p.m.

Horribly unpopular and terribly inconvenient with lines of people waiting in the cold to pay at these stations (that don't even take a dollar bill!); lots of confusion and frustration; nobody I know likes them. Let's make downtown MORE friendly, not more inconvenient to the public--or we won't have a downtown that the public wants to visit.

aes

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 1:27 p.m.

Horribly unpopular and terribly inconvenient pay stations--lines of people standing in cold to pay at the station and then great frustration/confusion about how to pay. Let's make downtown MORE, not LESS inviting to the public!

Jerome

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 1:25 p.m.

Because of these "New" meters, I make it a point NOT to visit any downtown merchants. I'm finding strip malls, etc. much more convenient, and much LESS TIME CONSUMING. Way to go Council & DDA...another brilliant decision!!!!

Vivienne Armentrout

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 1:13 p.m.

Question: how will the DDA "bag" the spaces being reserved for temporary use if there are no individual parking meters?

millermaple

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 1:08 p.m.

So the new pay stations cost $15,200 each?

delete this profile

Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 12:50 p.m.

This stinks. Those parking kiosks are awful. I've had many clients come to my office and complain about the time it takes just to pay for 10 minutes of time. And those receipts are all over the street now. Being able to use a credit card may be a convenience for some but I don't think it outweighs the inconvenience for the rest of us.