Parking meters earn thousands

More than $100,000 in revenue has come from the parking meters installed in downtown Bloomington.

The meters grossed $85,315 in cash and $62,744 in credit in August. The numbers do not account for credit card fees, staff time and meter payments, which will be subtracted.

In an IDS article from Aug. 20, Susie Johnson, director of public works for the City of Bloomington, said money collected from the meters will go into a fund used to provide resources to the downtown area, such as improving sidewalks, keeping downtown clean and paying for parking garages and parking infrastructures.

“Everything has been moving along quite well,” Johnson said.

She said no problems have come up that they weren’t able to immediately fix.

Some local residents and business owners said parking meters affect downtown business and change their parking habits.

“The parking meters have changed where I’ll go get breakfast,” Bloomington resident Lucas Gladson said. “It is an inconvenience to have to pay to park here.”

He said he prefers using coins as opposed to credit or debit options when paying to park.

Paula Chambers, owner of The Dance Circus, a dance wear store, said four of her customers came in last week commenting on the meters.

“I am losing time with my clients,” Chambers said. “They are rushed, and it is not good for business.”

Since the parking meters have been put in place, Chambers said she has seen her customers no longer come in to browse, but simply buy what they came for and leave.

Stefano’s Ice Cafe on Kirkwood Avenue has also been affected by the implementation of the parking meters.

“I used to have a group of 10 to 15 people who came every Monday for breakfast, but now they can’t afford to pay to park so they don’t come,” owner Ahmad Popalyar said.

Popalyar said there has been a decrease in the people who come in and grab something to eat to go. He said some customers know about free three-hour parking, but it’s still a hassle.

The first three hours of parking are free at the Walnut Street Garage, Fourth Street Garage, Fourth and Washington Lot, Sixth and Lincoln Lot and the Third and Washington Lot. The Fourth Street Garage is free after 6 p.m., daily.

“Most people are really upset about the meters,” Popalyar said.

Follow reporter Mary Hauber on Twitter @mary_hauber.