Time's up for Vancouver's 'free' parking meters

Time's up for Vancouver's 'free' parking meters

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Story Published: Oct 24, 2007 at 9:42 AM PDT

Story Updated: Oct 24, 2007 at 7:40 PM PDT

By KATU Web Staff

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VANCOUVER, Wash. - One of Vancouver's most popular downtown parking perks will soon be a memory.

City workers are installing brand new parking pay stations on Broadway Street south of 12th Street.
    
For years, Vancouver shoppers have known if they simply turn the meter knobs on the old-style parking meters without inserting any money, they would be able to park for 20 minutes - for free.

But no more.

New, electronic meters with no grace period are on the way. One store owner seemed a little sad to see the old meters go.

"Well, [customers] liked being able to just twist the meter for 20 minutes free, so they could come in and shop for 20 minutes .... It was handy for them to zip in and check the furniture out and everything," said Tom Craig of Spark's Home Furnishings. "Now they are going to put in the Portland-style meters."

The new meters are scheduled to begin operation on Wednesday. Until they are replaced, the old meters will continue to allow the 20 minutes of fee-free parking.

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