STOCKTON – Parking meters in downtown Stockton are getting an upgrade. But it means parking rates are going up at the beginning of 2012.
Stockton’s Central Parking District will begin converting mechanical parking meters with digital internal mechanisms and displays. Parking meter rates will go from 25 to 50 cents per hour to $1 per hour once the meters are upgraded. Motorists can still use nickels, dimes and quarters in the meters.
Only the internal parts and displays of the parking meters will be changed. The older parking meters were difficult to repair because parts were no longer readily available, according to a city of Stockton press release. Mechanical mechanisms that still work will be sold as surplus to other cities.
Many downtown businesses and organizations offer some kind of ticket validation for parking lots and garages in the Central Parking District. The first half an hour in the parking lots and garages is free, with a validation stamp.
Visit www.stocktongov.com or contact the Economic Development Department Central Parking Division at (209) 937-8539 for more information.
