New Parking Meter Testing Underway

In December, the City started a six-month-long test of several new types of parking meters. Our current parking meters will need to be replaced in the next few years, and this will help is determine what kinds of meters we want. I am very interested making sure new meters accept credit cards. Six different types of meters are being tested on six separate blocks around the city. Four test areas include multi-space meters. There are test areas in Stadium Village, Dinkytown, Old St. Anthony, Eliot Park and downtown. Staff will evaluate the performance of the meters and you can help by sharing their feedback with Please direct all questions or concerns to tim.drew@ci.minneapolis.mn.us and fill out a short survey here by clicking on "parking meter testing" then select "filling out a short survey online."

Here are the details about the various locations:

Warehouse District

Single-space parking meters

These meters are similar to Minneapolis’ current parking meters, but unlike traditional meters, they also accept credit cards. They accept the following forms of payment:

• Coins (quarters and dollar coins)

• Credit cards

• Future - reloadable smart cards and cell phone payment option


Old Saint Anthony

Multi-space parking meters

This arrangement features two multi-space meters on each side of the block. Parking spaces are marked with signs, and each meter machine serves about five parking spaces. Drivers choose a space and pay the nearest machine. The machines accept the following forms of payment:

• Coins (quarters and dollar coins)

• Credit cards

• Future - reloadable smart cards and cell phone payment option


Stadium Village

Multi-space parking meters

This arrangement features two multi-space meters on each side of the block. Parking spaces are marked with signs, and each meter machine serves about five parking spaces. Drivers choose a space and pay the nearest machine. The machines accept the following forms of payment:

• Coins (quarters and dollar coins)

• Credit cards

• Future - reloadable smart cards and cell phone payment option


Dinkytown A

Single-space parking meters

These meters are similar to Minneapolis’ current parking meters, with one meter for each parking space. These meters accept the following forms of payment:

• Coins

• Reloadable smart cards


Dinkytown B

Multi-space parking meters

This arrangement features two multi-space meters on each side of the block. Parking spaces are marked with signs, and each meter machine serves about five parking spaces. Drivers choose a space and pay the nearest machine. The machines accept the following forms of payment:

• Coins

• Credit cards

• Future - reloadable smart cards and cell phone payment option


Elliot Park

Multi-space parking meters

This arrangement features two multi-space meters on each side of the block. Parking spaces are marked with signs, and each meter machine serves about five parking spaces. Drivers choose a space and pay the nearest machine. The machines accept the following forms of payment:

• Coins

• Credit cards

• Future - reloadable smart cards and cell phone payment option



I've tried out the one in Old St. Anthony and it was a different system so a little confusing at first but worked great. I am sure that there is some fine tuning that could be done with each system but I think that we need to make sure any new system accepts coins and credit cards and would welcome learning more about your thoughts and experiences.