Evanston is starting to install new parking meters around town and city officials are looking for feedback on what people think of them.
The new equipment includes solar-powered single-space meters and pay stations that accept both coins and credit cards.
Fifty of the single-space meters and two new pay stations have been installed in several spots around town for testing. You can check out the exact locations on this map.
You can take the survey online or by calling 3-1-1 between now and Nov. 5.
Results of the survey will help determine which type of equipment is installed at different locations citywide.
City officials say they hope to have all the new equipment installed by next March.
Meters
City should get rid of all the parking meters, at least in the downtown area.
Between the meters and the bike racks, street light/bike racks (those fancy pedestrian lights installed on Church) there is little room for people to walk.
It's even worse when you encounter an area with sidewalk cafes. What happens when the snow flies in a few months? Put in those pay boxes and place receipt on dashboard (short walk back and forth to car is good exercise). They need to look at what they are doing before they do it.
Single-space meters are better
We much prefer any single-space meters over the pay station every block with receipts to be placed on the dashboard. The pay stations are hard to use and unreliable. It's much easier to just pay a single meter, and you don't have to deal with a little receipt on your dash.
Not really that complicated
You are just not smart if the boxes are complicated for you. i'm not sorry you have to get exercise and spend 1 or 2 minutes longer to walk.
Meters are essential downtown
Parking meters are essential in downtown and some people need to learn that fact. I remember way back, if meters are free or allowed to go beyond 2 hours than nobody will ever be able to park downtown, just like it used to be here.
Thats because people will park while they work for 8 hour periods of time, no turnover whatsoever. No meters are a really, really bad idea but thankfully the City understands that fact.
As for type of meters, individual meters are the only way to go. The payboxes get nothing but negative comments, why on earth would we put something in that gets so much negative response. How is it even a question to be considered.
Need less clutter, get rid of the useless, nonfunctioning pedestrian lights.