THUNDER BAY — The theft of about 100 double dual-head parking meters in Thunder Bay last year has resulted in the parking authority further investigating the acquisition of new technology.
The meters were stolen last winter, mostly from the north-side downtown area.
Last month, they were discovered – dismantled – in a shed in the Johnson Avenue neighbourhood.
Thunder Bay Police have not laid any charges so far in connection with the seizure.
At the time the equipment was recovered, Thunder Bay Parking Authority Manager Jonathan Paske expressed the hope that some of the equipment could be put back into service.
He said the metal housings might be reusable, but the electronic mechanisms inside would likely need to be replaced because of irreparable damage.
Paske confirmed Tuesday that technicians have examined all the equipment and determined that most of the mechanisms can't be salvaged.
He's asked the authority's Nova Scotia-based supplier for a quote on the cost of replacement parts.
"Our meter technicians are quite knowledgeable. They can rebuild a meter once they have all the parts," Paske said.
He roughly estimates the cost per meter will be $1,100.
An alternative to fixing all 100 units is to acquire multi-space meters, which negate the need for meters at each parking spot.
"We're still considering that. Depending on pricing, we may decide to not replace the parts that have been damaged, and use the money instead to fund some new technology," Paske said.
Multi-space meters are particularly useful on streets with angled parking, where drivers don't have to walk far to make their payment.
Paske said one of the standards he has seen in other cities is to ensure people don't have to walk farther than 75 meters to reach a machine.
He expects the parking authority will decide relatively soon whether it makes sense to buy some multi-space meters.
"We don't want to wait too much longer. We're going to get our quotes on the parts, then make our decision early in the new year about whether we should go forward."
