Three-hour parking limit still in effect downtown

As of Thursday, the five city-owned metered lots will be free parking with a maximum 72-hour parking limit.

“The three-hour parking limit in the downtown area will remain in place and will be enforced.  Only the meters are being taken out,” City Administer Bob Knabel said.

The same is true of the 12 parking meter spots on the square. Each spot will return to three-hour parking. Confusion by residents came as the changes were made to the lots after the city council approved the removal of the meters.

Any resident who has purchased a parking permit from the Newton Police Department for the city-owned lots will be refunded the prorated amount remaining on their parking permit. The refund will be sent out during the month of October.

The Public Works Department will begin removing parking meters Thursday. In the interim, an “Out of Order” sticker will be placed on each meter to show payment is no longer required.

If any resident has received any parking tickets for the metered lots prior to the effective date, they will still be responsible for paying the fee and any late fees for non-payment.

The city had 248 meters in the five lots along with 12 meters situated around the square. By removing the meters, it is hoped the downtown area will become more inviting to customers and visitors and allow for a better parking alternative to downtown business owners and employees.

Presently, 60 of the parking meters that were in use were malfunctioning or are broken beyond repair Knabel said in his report to the council. Estimates to repair or replace the existing inoperable meters would cost approximately $27,000.

A May usage audit of the metered lots showed that, on average, only 28 percent of the available capacity was used. The city will have an estimated $25,000 in annual revenue loss as a result of the elimination of the meters, lease fees and permits.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com