Omaha residents should soon see upgraded and modern parking meters in the downtown area

OMAHA, Nebraska – Depending on where you park your car in downtown Omaha, you will pay varying amounts for parking.

The city of Omaha intends to purchase 5,000 new parking meters as part of its efforts to modernize parking in the downtown area. The parking meters in downtown Omaha, according to city authorities, are obsolete and must be replaced.

Downtown parking meters need to catch up with technology. Currently, there are three distinct styles of parking meters in the downtown area, and if you look closely, there are two distinct pricing structures.

If you park on the south side of Farnam between 12th and 13th Streets and utilize the older parking meters, it will cost you 75 cents per hour to park. However, if you park directly across the street on the north side at a more recent parking meter, it will cost you $1.25.

Sarah Abel stated, “We parked on the opposite side of the building in the shade and paid $2.50 for two hours.”

Sarah Abel brought her children to the Gene Leahy Mall for some playtime, but she was unaware that there were two parking rates available.

The city of Omaha is working to modernize the downtown parking situation.

Abel remarked, “I find it funny that we’re all trying to get into the same location. I don’t understand the price difference, but I’m delighted to be here, and the app makes payment simple.”

John Hofmeister brought his children to the mall and secured a parking discount.

“Therefore, I did not pay for parking because the meter I pulled up to did not work and there was no display,” Hofmeister explained.

The city officials of Omaha are considering purchasing 5,000 new meter caps and standardizing all meters. The new meters, according to city parking authorities, will be a part of the new parking ecosystem that will be wrapped around the downtown streetcar system.

Even though city officials claim that parking meter technology is obsolete, it is still possible to pay for parking with cash, credit card, or an app. To balance supply and demand, they will examine parking fees across the board.

Hofmeister stated, “I guess it kind of makes sense because the closer you want to park, the more you’ll have to pay, and if you want to walk, it’ll be a bit cheaper, and if you park further away, it’ll be free for a longer walk. I see the logic, I see where it makes sense.”

Sarah says she has a better understanding of downtown parking rates.

“Obviously, free parking,” remarked Abel.

City officials report that they are currently working on a contract to acquire new meter caps; once the process is complete, the public will be notified.