City May Hire Firm to Help 'Modernize' Parking Meters, Decks

This story was written by Patch Editor Karen Sorensen

The city is seeking bids from firms to advise Joliet officials on how to modernize the system of downtown parking meters and decks, Joliet City Manager Tom Thanas said.

• Like Shorewood Patch on Facebook

The goal is to make them more efficient and, hopefully, save the city money in the process, Thanas said.

However, unlike the city of Chicago, Joliet would retain ownership under any changes that might be made in the future, he said.

"What we've done is put out a request for qualified parking management firms, professional parking firms, to come in and (make suggestions on ways to) modernize it and assess how to improve the efficiency of the meter and parking systems," Thanas said.

One thing likely to occur is the installation of automated gate systems for the city's parking decks and lots that will allow users to pay with a credit card, debit card or prepaid city card that would eliminate the need to have cash in order to park, he said.

Such a system is already in place and working well in the city's new 398-space Metra lot at Chicago and Marion streets, he said, which opened for public use on June 10. 

The same type of system could be used for metered spaces, similar to what already exists in Chicago. Patrons pay in advance using an automated station that issues a ticket that's placed on the user's car dashboard to alert meter monitors that they're in compliance.

Thanas acknowledged that changes could result in the elimination of jobs but said the city would do its best to incorporate those workers into other open Joliet positions.

The bids are expected to be brought to the Joliet City Council soon, and it's possible the winning firm could also be chosen to manage the implementation of any changes and to oversee the system on the city's behalf, Thanas said. 

If all goes smoothly, new parking changes could start being installed by year's end, he said.