NEW ORLEANS – Parking meter enforcement will continue on Saturdays in some high traffic areas and will be eliminated elsewhere, according to Ryan Berni, a spokesman for the Landrieu administration.
Following a review of the parking meter policy, the city has decided to retain the meters on Saturday in the following areas: Magazine Street, Oak Street, Riverbend, the French Quarter, the Warehouse District and the Central Business District riverside of Loyola Avenue.
All other parking areas in the City will be free on Saturday, notably the Mid City/Hospital Zone area bounded by North of Claiborne Avenue between Canal Street and the Pontchartrain Expressway and the Municipal Zone around City Hall lakeside of Loyola Avenue.
The changes will begin immediately, according to Berni.
“We found areas where metered parking on Saturday was unnecessary and an inconvenience and we are re-instating free parking on Saturday’s in these areas,” said Landrieu.
Landrieu did say that one of the main negatives his administration heard from residents was what they considered a lack of courtesy among some parking enforcement officers.
To that end, Landrieu said the following would be implemented:
• Training for all parking enforcement officers from customer service professionals beginning this fall.
• Enactment of a parking ambassador program whereby specialized parking enforcement officers will be responsible for providing directions and other information to citizens and visitors in New Orleans.
• Production of a “Park Smart” brochure with all parking rules, violations, and directions to parking garages.
• Expansion of a “pay-by-phone” program currently piloted on Magazine Street and in the Riverbend area whereby citizens can pay for street parking spaces by cellular phone.
