MARQUETTE — Single-space parking meters are being phased out in downtown Marquette and being replaced by pay stations.

They’re being phased out is because the technology won’t be supported by the end of this year. Meters are currently being bagged to be removed. Individuals may park for free at any bagged meter.

“Anything with a meter by May 1 will not function,” Marquette Downtown Development Authority Parking and Operations Manager Jodi Lanciani said.

Pay stations will start to be installed May 16, and they should all be installed within a week, according to Lanciani. Parking rates will be going up from 50 cents an hour to $1 an hour. Pay stations will accept both coins and credit cards, and there will be no fee to pay by card. Another way to pay is through the passport parking app.

“All of the money that we get from pay station parking, or metered parking, or permits; it all goes back into plowing the sidewalks and keeping them clean, sweeping them, putting flowers out, the electricity for the parking lots, for the ramp, the elevators, it all goes back into the system,” Lanciani said.

Another change happening is that the lower level of the Bluff Street ramp will allow overnight parking, with a three-day maximum limit. Parking there will also be $1 an hour.

There are five simple steps to using a pay station:

≤ Park anywhere on the street, know your license plate number and locate a pay station.

≤ Once at a pay station, press any button on the key pad to start and follow the prompts to enter your license plate number.

≤ Select from the options to purchase time or add more time to your parked vehicle; next choose between option one – free 15-minute pickup, or option two – $1 an hour.

≤ Insert coins or credit card when prompted to purchase desired parking time.

≤ Press OK to complete payment and take your receipt.