Town to replace parking meters
Parking meters and parking pay stations on Fort Myers Beach will be revised and more user friendly in the near future.
Town officials approved the replacement of the equipment, including the placement of nine pay stations at nine locations (four downtown, two under Matanzas Bridge, one at Palm Avenue beach access, one at Connecticut Street beach access and one at Newton Park) and the replacement of 72 parking meters. Total cost will be just over $120,000.
The prior pay stations did not hold up to the “harsh environmental conditions,” according to Town records. Amano McGann pay stations were part of a two-year trial and considered the best of three in the trial run by Town staff and contractor Central Parking due to a “proven durability” issue.
The stations are more user friendly since there will be no need to walk back to a vehicle to place a slip on the dashboard after payment at station. “Pay by space” method now will allow one to plug in a parking space number into the station to confirm spot. Adding time can also be performed by way of company app, anywhere, with no need to walk back to car. The Smart units have other abilities as well.
Pay meters will no longer accept coins, however. Jamming the coin slots was a problem, so now currency and credit cards will be accepted only.
Prior to application, more information will be provided soon by Town officials to inform of the change and advantages to come.