Cincinnati is requesting $2.15 million in City capital funds for a pilot program that would bring new multiple-space parking meters to the northeast and southeast quadrants of Downtown, parts of Uptown, and in various neighborhood business districts.

The funding, which would come from an un-appropriated surplus in the City's parking fund, would be used to purchase and install 200 multiple-space and 500 single-space meters as part of a City pilot project. It would also pay for one year of maintenance and informational brochures on how to use the new system.

The multiple-space meters will cover an average of seven spaces each. Existing electronic meters that are removed would be moved to some of the City's neighborhood business districts, replacing older meters.

According to recent report to City Council by Patrick Ewing, interim director of the City's Economic Development Division, the new meters have several tangible benefits:

• The ability to accept credit cards;
• "Pay and display" printed receipts;
• A low cost of maintenance;
• Real-time revenue analysis;
• The ability to enact special event rates;
• Coordination with streetcar program ticketing;
• The use of solar power; and
• The restoration of sidewalk space for pedestrians.

If funding is approved, it would take approximately three to four months to purchase and install the new meters.

The meters were recommended as part of a strategic parking plan prepared by Walker Parking Consultants, which was hired to address the City's increased parking needs, future shortages in the parking fund, and the inefficiency of the City's current parking system.

In October 2010, the City released a request for proposals to provide multiple- and single-space parking meters, eventually selecting Tampa-based CALE Parking Systems USA, Inc. as the winning bidder.

Photo of MP104 Compact in Chicago courtesy of CALE Parking Systems USA, Inc.

Previous reading on BC:
Seventh Street Garage to be replaced (2/1/11)
New parking facilities required to provide bicycle parking (5/24/10)
Cincinnati passes ordinances for P&G parking (11/2/09)
Ordinances, COA needed for Downtown garage expansion (10/20/09)
Cole proposes shuttles for Market parking woes (10/6/09)