Parking lot changes coming

New equipment, lower pricing to roll out next month

MANAYUNK >> Visitors to Manayunk will soon be able to save themselves trips to their vehicles — and some cash— thanks tonew parking equipment coming to offstreet parking lots.

The Manayunk Development Corp. announced its partner, Park-Way Corp., will roll out new equipment at the four lots it operates starting in April.

The new equipment will allow visitors to enter their license plate number, rather than having to place a receipt on their dashboard.

“Customers of our lots will key in their license plate number, select how much time they want to purchase, pay with a credit or debit card and go!” Manayunk Development Corp. Executive Director Jane Lipton said in a press release announcing the changes. “The old equipment required customers to find a parking spot, walk to a pay station to pay and then walk back to their car to place a receipt on their dashboard.”

The upgraded equipment also will allow visitors to receive a text alert when their paid time is running out and increase that time via their cellphone, according to Lipton.

“With the old machines, you had to-walk back to the lot to purchase more time and get a new receipt for the dashboard,” she said. “I knew we could do better.”

The new machines will also bring new pricing, with the cost of using the four lots going down.

Parking at lots located at Venice Island (7 Lock St.) and 108 Levering St. will cost $2 per hour each day, according to the release. Meanwhile, the 4000Main St. lot will have parking available for $2 per hour on weekdays after 5 p.m. and weekends, while the 114 Green Lane lot will charge $1 per hour.

Visitors can further cut the cost of parking through a new Parking Loyalty Program, which will also be rolled out with the new equipment.

In the program, participating businesses will give customers parking validation coupons for $2, $4 or $8 to be used on a return visit, according to the release.

“Essentially, we’re saying, ‘The

next time you’re in Manayunk, parking is on us,’” Lipton said. “It lets our customers know we care about their experience and value their business.”

The Manayunk Development Corp. said it hopes the parking changes will improve the experience of finding parking for visitors and residents alike.

“We feel certain that this system will offer a more positive experience for our customers, our business

The Manayunk Development Corp. said it hopes the parking changes will improve the experience of finding parking for visitors and residents alike.

community, our employees and ultimately our neighborhood residents who often must compete with visitors for parking spots,” Lipton said.