Des Moines to launch new parking payment system downtown by the end of the month
Say goodbye to those clunky parking meters, because by the end of January, a new parking payment system will begin launching in parts of downtown Des Moines.
The new $3.5 million system will allow motorists to park in any open spot and pay either through an app or a sidewalk pay station. Larger Midwest cities like Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Paul and Detroit already have similar systems in place.
Installation of the new 400 pay stations has already been underway for several weeks and will be completed in three phases, according to City Traffic Engineer John Davis.
Phase 1, which is expected to come online by the end of the month, includes portions of 15th Street to the east up to the Des Moines River, along Grand Avenue and Locust and Walnut streets.
About 120 pay stations have already been installed, but inclement weather and supply chain issues could still delay the timing of the project's launch, Davis said.
"We recognize that while we hope the rollout and the installation goes smoothly, we recognize that there's going to be little glitches and just ask people to be patient as things roll out," Davis said.
Here's what you need to know about the new system:
The ParkDSM app is ready for download
For those who want the flexibility of paying for parking through their phones, the new system's app, ParkDSM, is available in the app store for all Android and Apple mobile devices.
ParkDSM is also compatible with the national parking app ParkMobile, which is already used in other cities like Ames, Minneapolis, Omaha and Milwuakee. If you already have an account with ParkMobile, you can use it to pay for parking in Des Moines without downloading the ParkDSM app.
The national app, which is also available in Spanish, will alert you when your time is almost up and will allow you to add additional time without going back out to the pay meter.
Pay stations have multiple options
The pay stations, which will be on almost every city block downtown, will accept quarters and every major form of debit and credit card. There will also be three languages to choose from: English, Spanish and French.
Motorists will also be able to send receipts to their phones and receive text updates about their vehicle. Davis said for those who don't have smartphones, there will be a number to call so that residents can extend their parking sessions without going back outside.
What about the prepaid SmartCards?
Currently, nearly two-thirds of the existing parking meters in Des Moines accept only coins and prepaid SmartCards. But with the rollout of the new system, the SmartCards will be phased out.
Davis recommends residents with SmartCards use their funds by April 1 and not replenish them.
"As long as we have those meters on the street, they'll be accepted ... once we start activating the spaces and multispace meters, we will be taking away individual meter heads," Davis said. "As we move through those activations, the opportunities that an individual has to use their SmartCard will diminish."
It's estimated that all of the individual meters will be pulled off city streets by July, with a 100% completion of the rollout by August.
Melody Mercado covers Des Moines city government for the Register. Reach her at mmercado@registermedia.com or Twitter @melodymercadotv.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines launching downtown parking system, ParkDSM, in January
