More SmartMeters installed downtown, 400+ expected in January

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A project to expand the use of SmartMeters in Downtown Wilmington continues, and city officials hope to install an additional 400+ in the new year.

Not only have city officials been installing more machines since testing them for the past year, city leaders also say a new parking lot will be opening in January at the corner of 2nd Street and Orange Street.

SmartMeters accept traditional coins like the old parking meters and debit and credit cards. Drivers can even text in a payment from a smart phone. Resident Matthew Ray uses the SmartMeters almost every single day.

“I do everything through my phone anyway, so the idea of it just sending me a notification is just far easier than anything else,” Ray said. “It’s already saved me a lot of money on parking tickets, because I’m not the best at remembering.”

Business owners like Brad Corpening says these meters will make parking easier for customers, which affect his bottom line.

“We’ve had those pay stations for a couple … a number of years now and even within recent days, weeks, whatever — people are still confused with the process of finding their number and going to the pay station and appropriately paying for the right spot,” Corpening said.

City Spokesman Dylan Lee says 460 SmartMeters will be installed in the Central Business district, west of 2nd Street, closer to the river. The city has more than 760 meters total.