Eyes on the Street: As City Changes Parking Meters, What Are You Seeing?

This new sign went up adjacent to Pan Pacific Park on Beverly Blvd.

While taking my cat to the pet store earlier today, I noticed that at some point in the past month the automobile parking signs on Beverly Boulevard had changed.  It used to be that cars could park for two hours at metered spaces, the meters expired at 6:00 P.M. and there were no Sunday parking hours.  Given that I’ve never parked at the new metered areas, that extend from La Brea all the way to LA Cienega; I decided to check with some local businesses to see what changes they noticed since the signs have went up.

The answer, at least along my part of Beverly, is “not much.”  Urban Pet, the local pet store, didn’t even notice the change.  However, they have their own parking lot and U-Racks for bikes so they’re probably not the best data point. 

So, I checked with the staff at Terroni’s, and Italian restaurant.  They hadn’t noticed either.  Although in their case it wasn’t a parking lot but a valet service and a rental agreement with the local post office that shielded them.  I popped my head into a couple of boutiques, none of whom said parking changes had effected business.

However, I know this lack of outrage is hardly typical of what goes on what meter rates go up and hours are extended.  So, I’m giving you homework this weekend.  If meter prices or hours have changed in your neck of the woods, go out and check with at least one local business to find out how the changes are effecting their bottom line and leave me a comment below.