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.