Published: June 12, 2007 05:44 pm      

NIAGARA FALLS: Meters going hot Friday

Only a sample of the devices will be operational during test run

The new parking meters installed downtown are expected to begin a test run on Friday.

Only a sample of the 100 wireless meters will be activated this week, with the rest scheduled to be operational before the July 4 holiday, reported Ralph Aversa, the city’s head of economic development.

The high-tech meters, provided by the Vancouver, B.C-based Photo Violation Technologies Corp., were installed in mid-May in anticipation of the busy Memorial Day weekend. However, a problem establishing a Wi-Fi connection pushed the start date back.

Company President Fred Mitschele said those issues, which involve agreements with local utility companies, are almost resolved and Friday’s test run is on schedule. He agrees all 100 meters will be ready for July 4.

The company has agreed to install and remove the meters at no cost to the city unless it chooses to keep the parking system after a six-month trial period. Once operational, the meters will be able to communicate wirelessly with the city and take photographs of license plates of parking offenders. In addition, the meters will accept change or credit and debit cards and allow parking offenders to pay fines on site.

Each meter controls two parking spots for a total of 200 targeted spaces — mostly located along Rainbow Boulevard and Third and Niagara streets. The meters included in Friday’s test run are likely to be along Third Street.

Meanwhile, city lawmakers are still debating the proper operation times for the devices. Aversa said current plans are to have the meters off on the weekends near First Presbyterian Church of Niagara Falls and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, both located on Rainbow Boulevard, so worshippers will not be charged to park when they attend service.

At Monday’s meeting, Councilman Charles Walker asked his colleagues to consider whether all of the meters should be shut off during the weekend so they don’t deter tourists from spending more time downtown.

“If they have to keep paying a parking meter, tourists are not going to spend much time here,” Walker said.

Aversa said Walker’s idea hadn’t been discussed previously and that shutting down the meters over the weekend — especially during evening hours — would prove costly to the anticipated revenue the city is hoping to receive from traffic violators.

“Of course we’re going to charge at night downtown,” Aversa said.

Councilmember Chris Robins agrees with Aversa, saying the meters are meant for tourists and not to hurt local businesses and residents. He added that any revenue collected should be put back in the same neighborhoods for road repairs and beautification efforts.

Photo Violation Technologies has claimed the meters could increase the total revenue from enforcement and parking by five times what the city currently collects.

Council Chairman Robert Anderson Jr. said he doesn’t agree parking meters are needed downtown, but supports his colleagues’ push for the devices.

“If this thing works out well, and it’s a success, that’s good,” Anderson said, “but I think it’s ludicrous.”

However, he fears too many tourists will be heading back home with parking tickets — and a negative memory from their trip to the Cataract City.

“That’s not the type of publicity I want Niagara Falls to have,” Anderson said.