Cypress Street Parking Kiosk Scheduled For Launch Next Week

Commuters parking in the Cypress Street lot will have a new way to pay for spots starting early next week.

According to a memo from Associate City Engineer Clint Schuckel published on the city's website, was installed last week. After some training and transition, Schuckel’s letter said the new payment method is likely to be on-line Tues., Feb. 22.

The machine will not accept credit/debit cards just yet, the memo said, but the feature will likely be available in a few weeks time after a final contract is squared away with a company that will process the fees. The fees from the cards will also have to be wired to the city’s parking account, Schuckel said.

In the Feb. 11 memo, Schuckel said this week will consist of training for the meter collectors and enforcement staff. Meanwhile, the newly-installed kiosk will remain covered.

The Department of Public Works will also place sandwich boards on the lot to notify drivers of the changeover, the memo said.

The official changeover, Schuckel said, will be Sun. Feb. 20, however, because meters are not in effect on Sunday or the following Monday (due to the President’s Day holiday) the first official day of commuter use will be Feb. 22.

Attendants will be on the site to assist drivers with the new payment system for a few days, the memo said.

“I expect this pilot will be a positive advancement for both our parking patrons as well as the City’s support functions (collections and enforcement),” Schuckel said in the memo. 

Once the kiosk is up and running next week, we want to know what you think! Leave a comment in the box below or e-mail Melanie.Graham@patch.com.