High-Tech Parking Meters Coming To Downtown OKC

In 1935 Oklahoma City parked a place in history when the first parking meter was installed at the corner of First and Robinson. Now just a few blocks away from that very first meter the city has installed much sleeker newer models.

The new parking meters go on-line Monday around the Myriad Gardens. They are completely solar-powered, credit card ready, even eventually smart phone app adaptable.

Parkers deposit their money, enter how much time they want, and in exchange, can park at any metered spot downtown.

"There will be a sticky back receipt. You pull that off then you stick it on [the inside of] your windshield on the driver's side," explains Debi Holtzclaw, Parking Manager for the City of Oklahoma City.

You can even switch spots without having to pay again if you still have time left. To help with the confusion, parking attendants have been leaving fliers on drivers' windows and volunteers and ambassadors will be out there Monday to walk people through the process.

But News 9 asked, wouldn't it just be easier if they left them free?

"The problem with leaving them free, you have people parked all day," answered Holtzclaw. 

So come Monday, parking spots may be easier to find, even if they won't be free.

The minimum rate is $.75 for 30 minutes. The meters with orange tops are two-hour maximum.  Blue ones will also be going in, in the city core, that are an hour max.

More meters will be going live the week of July 23. The city is installing 42 more meters in the area around the memorial.