SmartMeters to make parking more convenient

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The city of Wilmington wants to implement new parking meters that could save you from a citation.

They are called SmartMeters and city officials have been testing them out for almost a year. They give you the option to pay for parking with a credit card or coins. Resident Kensey Hovatter says they are much more convenient.

“I mean most people don’t carry cash anymore,” Hovatter said.

Parking manager Betty Gurganus says they have been testing them on Market, Second and Ann streets since last October.

“To see if our customer base thought it was a good idea and overwhelmingly they were taken by it,” Gurganus said. “Why didn’t we do it sooner?”

Now Gurganus says they want to install another 460 SmartMeters downtown before January 2015. Officials say they eventually want all meters replaced. The city has more than 760 meters total. Gurganus says they have to get the funds approved by city council first, but she says these testers have already made it easier for people to comply with the parking rules.

“Over the last 11 months we’ve actually seen a decrease in parking citations.”

Hovatter says she can see why.

“Just simply because people don’t bring change,” Hovatter said. “Then you have to find it real fast before you come downtown.”

Gurganus says these meters are all about giving customers more options and Hovatter says she likes those options.

“Just having the option to pay with a card is so much easier, because everybody usually uses a credit card to pay for everything.”

Gurganus says it will cost about $300,000 to get the next phase of meters. Gurganus says the appropriation of funds will go before council on October 21.