Downtown Tempe rolls out high-tech meters

Downtown Tempe rolls out high-tech meters

My jaw just hit the floor. Some of these meters along Mill Ave have been there for a few months (way to be slow, if at all, ABC15) but now they're expanding operating hours until 10pm Monday through Saturday. For people who don't plan ahead that is awesome. For the rest of us who rely on getting the awesome spot out in front of Robbie's or across the street from Rula Bula this sucks! Fortunately the free lot is still free but it's a longer trek in the cold New Year's air or scorching summer heat. Of course this will force us to use the Metro Light Rail more, and help our waistlines. Tempe, word of advice to ya, if you have people complaining about available parking, add public parking and help local companies and multi-unit housing in the Mill Ave District area offer parking at affordable rates to local patrons. No sense in scaring people away by charging $20 to park for the day or risking a ticket if they don't watch their meters (even with the phone option). Tsk tsk City of Tempe. Where are your priorities? Oh that's right...cash flow...