As promised, the investigative reporting team of the Hill & Lake Press, although nonexistent, did some follow-up on the sightings of parking meters in the neighborhood and came up with about as much information as New Jersey has about the drones.
What we know.
There are new meters installed on 26th Street and 27th Street just west of Hennepin, as reported in the December issue, and there are new meters installed on the newly completed stretch of Hennepin Avenue, between the parking bays and the bike lane. (Caution: Do not stand in the bike lane while feeding the meter.)
What we have heard.
That meters have been installed on East Bde Maka Ska Parkway near the intersection with Lake Street, and that the park board is considering installing meters on other parkways around the lakes. And that neither of those things appears to be true.
According to Park Commissioner Elizabeth Shaffer, no one on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board staff has heard anything about putting parking meters on the parkways. A city staff member also said that there is no city plan to do so.
What we have learned about meters.
They make real money! There are 8,700 parking meters in the City of Minneapolis. Combined with city-owned lots and ramps, they brought $55 million into the city’s coffers in 2023.
Income from the impound lot boosted that number to $64 million — although much of that extra $9 million most likely comes from those who live in apartments and depend on on-street parking, a burden not shared by homeowners like me with garages.
Meters are allegedly a benefit to businesses because they create turnover and prevent one person from holding a space all day that could be used by other shoppers.
No, wait. Meters are allegedly a detriment to businesses because people who are willing to pay for parking at special events are not willing to pay for parking when running routine errands.
The days of keeping a few coins in the car to plunk into meters are long gone. Modern meters require a phone app or a credit card, making them a challenge for those who have neither, or for reasons of age of ability, have difficulty using the app.
Some parking stations do take larger coins and bills, but they require a schlep to an automated machine and patience to learn their cues.
What we have learned about signs.
Signs that limit parking in front of a business to a specific amount of time are a freebie for customers, but not for the business owner.
Tom Thompson, former owner of now closed Guse Hardware at 46th Street and Bryant Avenue South, paid the city $500 for signs that limited parking to 30 minutes in the three parking spots in front of his store.
What we don’t know.
How many more meters are planned for the city, and where they will be installed. As bus lanes and bike lanes remove parking from retail corridors, will meters move onto adjacent streets, as they have on Hennepin?
One last thing we do know.
That there is abundant free parking in the suburbs surrounding the city. And yes, bikes park for free.
