Perhaps common sense dictates that there’s no parking enforcement in D.C. on federal holidays or weekends, but that didn’t stop the District from collecting nearly $1,500 from its multispace meters on Veterans Day.
Responding to a request from D.C. activist Terry Lynch, the city’s Department of Transportation will install stickers on its newfangled meters along K Street, in Georgetown and Adams Morgan reminding drivers that parking rules are not enforced on weekends or holidays.
“I think we would feel that is general, common knowledge, but if it is a concern to people then it is something we definitely want to address,” said DDOT spokeswoman Karyn LeBlanc.
LeBlanc confirmed that the District garnered $1,466 on Nov. 11, the Veterans Day holiday, when the federal and D.C. governments were closed and the Department of Public Works’ parking enforcers were nowhere to be found.
DDOT has a mockup of its new decal, and expects to have the decals in place within 30 days, LeBlanc said.
Lynch, executive director of the Downtown Cluster of Congregations, said the idea came to him when he was shopping in Georgetown on Veterans Day and was asked by an out-of-town driver if he was required to pay the meter.
What’s the use of technology, Lynch asked, if it’s not used to help people?
“They’re supposed to be smart, but I decided they’re not as smart as they think they are,” he said of the meters.
Lynch suggested programming the meters not to accept coins or credit on those non-enforcement days.
DDOT Citywide Program Manager Robert Marsili told Lynch in an e-mail that reprogramming would cost $50 per machine, require a software change and a yearly update, “but it can be done.”
