POLL: How Do You Feel about the New Parking Meters in Arlington Center?

ARLINGTON, MA — The installation of new parking meters in Arlington Center have started discussion among residents, town officials and business owners about whether the meters are beneficial and the potential effect on local business.

Single-space meters are now beginning to be installed in the center from Franklin Street to Jason Street and in the Robbins Library Parking Lot during the month of October. Arlington Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine told Patch that the purpose of the meters is to help local businesses by creating turnover in parking spaces in front of local business.

"The whole purpose, policy and intent [of the meters] is to help local businesses," Chapdelaine said."The program was analyzed by an outside firm with a goal of creating turnover on Mass. Avenue."

The meters come as a result of the Arlington Center Parking Management Study, presented by Nelson/Nygaard Consulting Associates to the Board of Selectmen in 2014. The town's goal for the meters is to encourage long-term parkers to use municipal lots, freeing up spaces in front of businesses on Massachusetts Avenue for short-term parking.

Parking in the metered spaces and in the Robbins parking lot will cost $1 per hour and will have a four-hour limit. Municipal lots have no hourly limit and cost 50 cents per hour.

Chapdelaine further added that he has not received any feedback regarding the meters, but suspects that he will once the installation process continues. He also added that while visiting the poll installers Tuesday morning, he noted that many local business owners expressed gratitude that the town was installing the meters.

"By pricing the street at a rate higher than the [municipal] lots, we hope that long-term parkers will move to the municipal lots so that business and customers have better access," said Chapdelaine.

>>>We know how the town feels about the meters, now we want to hear from you. Answer click below to answer our poll and let us know how you feel in the comments section below.

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