Downtown will return to analog parking meters, combined with ParkMobile app support

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Parking downtown will once again use the old, analog, coin-only meters in tandem with the new ParkMobile app. The decision to return to the old meters was made by the Downtown Parking Commission Tuesday night.

The decision follows a series of issues regarding downtown parking. Last month, the commission temporarily suspended ParkMobile payments in response to public complaints about pricing discrepancies, and last week, the City Council rejected spending money to build new parking garage.

At their meeting, the parking commissioners looked at three options: return to using the digital IPS meters (originally installed in 2014), make street-side parking free while doubling rates for lots and garages, or return to analog meters. Both meter options also included app support.

After hearing community comments, the commission voted to return to the analog meters, which will save the city money on maintenance and card processing fees.

City Parking Manager Michael Palmore told the commission the city still has the analog meters in storage, and they can be reinstalled.

The city removed those 217 coin-only analog meters and replaced them with digital meters in 2014, at a cost of $166,431, according to Leaf-Chronicle archives.

Clarksville Now has asked city Chief Financial Officer Lorrie Matta how much it will cost to re-install the old meters, but that figure wasn’t available Tuesday night.

Time for a new study

Parking Commissioner Ryan Bowie stressed that any decision made by the commission at this time should be seen as a stopgap measure until a study can be conducted to better address downtown parking. The last major traffic study was conducted over 15 years ago, according to former Parking Authority Chairman Lane Lyle.

“Parking has always been a problem in downtown Clarksville,” Lyle told commissioners. “We studied this issue for almost two years. … A narrowly focused group like this commission cannot make the right decision for this community. You’ve got to go bigger, and you’ve got to take your time.”

The next item on the Parking Commission’s agenda is to set rates for downtown parking, including rates for the ParkMobile app once it is reinstated. The commission will hold a special called session on Monday, March 21, at 10 a.m. to vote on rates as well as to further discuss a new parking study.