Albany Parking Authority expands with solar powered meters

The Albany Parking Authority introduces 25 additional multi-space parking meters. The implementation of phase two will begin the week of Monday, January 30. Starting Monday at least two blocks of spaces will be opened daily near the New York State Capitol and along Washington Ave. to Lark St. On January 31, the Albany Parking Authority expects to be working on Washington Ave. across from the New York State Capitol making its way around to the other side later in the week on Friday, possibly working into the following week. The opening of the first ten spaces will start on Elk St. and Hawk St., then the rest will continue up the north side of Washington Ave. to Lark St., looping back down the south side of Washington Ave. to Eagle St. and complete State St. from Swan to Eagle on both sides. Phase two extends the project beyond State St. and provides improved parking flexibility in close proximity to the Capitol including the option of all-day parking. This phase will improve the sophistication and streetscape appearance of downtown Albany by removing more than 200 single-space parking meters. The new solar powered meters will operate as they currently do on State St., extending the 2-hour parking limit to 10 hours. The meters accept credit and debit card payments using Visa, MasterCard, and Discover in addition to accepting coins, and run on a gradually increasing rate structure. "We have received excellent feedback on the State St. improvements and there appears to be a great demand for the expansion of these parking services downtown," said Michael Klein, executive director of the Albany Parking Authority. "With the high volume of people working at and visiting the Capitol, these cutting-edge technologies will provide not only more convenient parking options, but also a nice and modern streetscape." This expansion will provide flexible parking options for state workers and others in the area of the New York State Capitol who may desire parking for more than the old two-hour limit. The streets affected by this expansion include parts of Washington Ave., Lark St., Swan St., Eagle St., Hawk St., Dove St., Elk St., and Spring St. These streets currently have a two-hour parking limit of $1.25/hour. The same rate will apply for the first two hours under the new system, and then increase by $.25/per hour. Each meter has information that specifies the rate structure. "We are pleased to roll out Phase Two of our new parking system and see a third phase on the horizon, as demand for these services increases," said Klein. "Our parking meters are easy to use, environmentally friendly and meet the growing expectations of improved customer service as well as being part of the "green economy" through use of solar power."