Installation of the first 1,000 new smart meters in Columbus has begun. The Short North is one of the first areas to receive these new meters accepting all major credit cards as well as coins and parking cards sold by the city. 1,000 new smart meters will be installed annually until all of the city’s 4,000 meters are replaced. Thirty-five of these new meters were tested on East Gay Street in 2009 and received positive feedback from patrons.

The city plans on refurbishing 500 of the old meters that are being replaced with smart meters and installing them in locations that currently do not have meters. Some of the money received from the recent change in meter prices is being used to fund these smart meters.

Other areas in Columbus to receive the first set of installation include The North Market area, Gay Street, Grandview Avenue, and the Arena and Brewery Districts.

Parking meters are mechanical entities that are known to break down from time to time. If you park at a meter that won’t accept your payment or register time on the meter, please report it so that it can be repaired and move your car to a working meter.  Cars parked at broken meters can be ticketed.

You can report a broken meter by calling the 311 line (645-3111) Monday through Friday, 7am-6pm or online: http://publicservice.columbus.gov/Forms.aspx?ekfrm=31888. Make note of the meter number that appears on the meter head and the meter location. It will be part of the report.

The best way to describe Hubbard Grille, the newest restaurant to open in the Short North, is “unscripted,” says General Manager Daniel Morris. Morris would like for people to think of Hubbard Grille as a place that they can come and create their own unique experiences.

Hubbard Grille prides itself on being a place that isn’t set to a certain kind of feel or a certain type of guest, but a place for everyone: the PBR drinker eating black and tan onion rings or the person ordering a bottle of wine and a filet.

The menu is filled with polished American classics that are sure to please.  “We are serious about the food, but don’t take ourselves too seriously. The food is approachable but well thought out,” says Morris.  The restaurant features private tier tap tables which allow customers to operate the taps, serve themselves, and get a digital read of how much they have drank right at their table.  Located upstairs is a lounge area overlooking the tables below in addition to a private dining area which can be rented for customers to relax and enjoy.

Taste Hospitality had a strong desire to open Hubbard Grille in the Short North for a while, so naturally when the space became available it felt right to open. “The bar is set really high in the Short North- we’re in the big leagues now. The people here do what they do very well,” says Morris, who was anxious to be a part of the Short North community. Hubbard Grille is thrilled to be in the Short North and complement its’ neighbors while offering something very unique.

Morris says the best part about opening in the Short North are his fellow Short North Business owners. “We are extremely proud to be a part of this neighborhood. We’ve had nothing but great experiences and have been very welcomed,” says Morris. The welcoming effort has been so great, in fact, that Hubbard Grille is now working with Middle West Spirits, Le Chocoholique, and Vino 100 to feature OYO vodka and chocolates on the menu. Vino 100 and HG will offer monthly wine or beer tastings as well.

Morris would like to especially thank Le Chocoholique, Middle West Spirits, Vino 100, Da Levee, Press Grill, The Rossi, The Wood Companies and DCI for the amount of time, insight and support they have shared with him.