spend lots of money for upgraded meters and raise the rates project huge profits to justify this folly... i know other people besides myself snikering ..the malls have lots of free parking.. no parking tickets and i am sure everyone is clapping their hands over higher rates and longer hours i think people should find other places to go

Not that I really support this proposal, but malls are cultural wastelands that lack uniqueness and athenticity.

Let's just remove the parking meters all together. I'm sure people wouldn't stay parked on the street for days or anything.

It is only implied from the articles and quotes but it seems that the city is using parking fees to offset the costs of support for programs directed at the downtown such as Main St and Ambassadors. That makes sense to fund those programs with parking revenue.

@apov- agreed, tho the implication has yet to be stated as an actuality. There are also concerns about how hospital we seem with the new system, and how compliance will be enforced; especially when there are already areas where compliance seems to be overlooked. Just adding two cents to the discussion.

I think the card readers are great. Coins are a thing of the past. I park in Bethlehem often and use their card machines, $1.00 for an hour in that city, no complaints from me.

It's ridiculous. How can anyone afford it? My family lives in town and I often go see them. It costs me enough to see them now with the rising cost of gasoline, the current price of the meters and let's not even mention the headache from the hastle to get through town as it is due to all the mass confusion...I mean construction. What is becoming of Easton?! It's a mess anymore....a sad state of affairs. I agree with the comment(s) above about malls being cultural wastelands. Sadly, I feel the city itself is on it's way to becoming just that. Who will be able to afford to enjoy the restuarants or shops that so many of it's local businessmen and woman are trying to maintain to make it something more?! How about we refocus on the important things like the safety of our citizens in town?! I can't tell you how many times I've heard of burglaries, robberies, etc in the city. It's not a safe place. It's not welcoming. You can glam it up all you want with your fancy meters and your new facades, but it's still a mess....soon to be an expensive mess! I only hope my family decides to leave the city sooner than later so I no longer have to worry for their safety, mine and the rising costs to live in such a place.

@anonymous- parking meter debate aside, Easton is not on the decline, nor is it a mess or statistically unsafe. The downtown (where the meters are located) is experiencing a surge in redevelopment. That's not a sign of decline in my eyes. Construction can be a hassle, but taking care of our communities aging infrastructure is an important need. All one needs to do is see what happened in Allentown to see how failing infrastructure can impact a community.

Parking meter's aside, Easton's safety is on the decline. My family has lived in the city for 10+ years and within the past 6 months have they experienced multiple robberies and in fact just last evening were notified the police were looking for a gunman in their vacinity. It is not a safe place and I can reassure you that when I visit, I am always keeping a watcful eye behind my back when walking in the area and when parking. I'm not sure if you're a resident, business owner or something other, however my experience as of lately - not positive!

@ Anon-If you can afford to go to a restuarant im sure you can afford an additional 25 cents to park. I agree Construction can be a hassle, but it's all positive things happening. Try to focus on 1 or 2 positive things instead of dwelling on the negative, though it seems that may be a way of life for some people.

I would go to the restuarants if I could afford them, sadly however my complaint is more simplistic and meaningful in my opinion, it's going to become a matter of not being able to afford going to see my family for any great lengths of time.

Sounds great! Would love to know where this may be. Looking for an area near the circle . I do have a handicap family member so I'd like to keep the distance within a relatively manageable distance to that area. Thank you for sharing!

Drive around and look. Though i understand the extra gas you'll consume could be an issue. Drop off your handicapped family member close to the area your visiting and then go park?

@Anonymous- there are no meters on the Northern and Southern sections of 5th & 6th Sts. There's also meterless parking on Ferry past 5th St, as well as on Northampton past 6th St. Is that close to where you need to be?

there are plenty of great restaurants outside of easton in crime free areas with no meters,also great stores and lots of choices in malls,again no meters..and for sure you will either need to go to a kmart,walmart,target or food shopping,thank heavens no traffic congestion or metersand the drive around the circle...