Finally! High Tech Meters That Take Plastic Arrive In Minneapolis

Flickr.com Photo, San Francisco Parking
Meter That Takes Plastic As Well As Coins

Can anything be more annoying than Minneapolis parking meters which only take quarters? Oh, yes...

...I almost forgot: young men who stand on street corners for hours on end, openly dealing crack, while dedicated real estate agents try to sell numerous vacant houses in North Minneapolis. THAT is more annoying. But I digress and, besides, vigilant North Minneapolis citizens are putting a stop to open air drug markets.

I have another blog devoted to the issue of predatory towing, and recently posted there about some "high tech" parking meters in Minneapolis which take plastic and not just coins. (Click here for that blog post) San Francisco already has high tech meters, and one of the San Fran meters is pictured above.

I still need to go play with the new Minneapolis meters, personally, and find out if the meters take more than just quarters, but the fact the meters take plastic is--woo woo!--very exciting.

Since this concerns a City of Minneapolis issue, and not just the national issue of predatory and abusive towing, I wanted to make sure regular Johnny Northside readers know about this blog post regarding high tech parking meters in Minneapolis...especially since a push will be needed to get more.

A lot more. We need to replace ALL THE OLD CRUMMY METERS THAT ONLY TAKE QUARTERS.

So try out the new meters in Stadium Village near U of M, which have arrived thanks to Ward 2 City Councilman Cam Gordon, Green Party, and let's all push for more of the high tech meters throughout Minneapolis and not just in the Stadium Village test area.

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My Little 311 Triumphs

Photo By John Hoff

It's very satisfying to call 311 and then, a few weeks later, to see tangible results...

Below is 811 4th St. SE, with its cool "Marcy-Holmes" neighborhood sign. Ever since Gopher Laundry and Cleaners closed, it has been a magnet for graffiti and now appliance dumping. Whether the city comes out in a month, or the owners of the property take care of the mess...I'm confident I'll see results. 

Above is the wall of Stub And Herbs in Stadium Village. There was some graffiti up there at roof level, and I called it in. Instead of just removing the graffiti, the owners painted the whole side of the wall and added an attractive ad for "Surly Brewing Co." 

CALLING 311 is fun. A day without calling 311 is like a day without Facebook. 

(Do not click "Read More") 

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