A reader is curious about the source of the new call-if-you’re-gonna-park signs (pictured above) that went up last week on Union St., which breaks off from and parallels Washington Ave, between White and Henderson: “Is this city of Houston? I’ve never seen signs like this before. Or, if this is a private individual, is this legal?” There are no meters installed on the street, the reader says.
The signs are near Julep, which opened at 1919 Washington Ave. in early August after a long gestation period, and the would-be restaurant and bar at 2003 Union St. pictured below, which Swamplot reported on at the same time, more than a year ago:
***
“The place has had all the kitchen and dining room equipment installed for the past 3 months or so,” the reader reports, but it’s yet to open.
- Previously on Swamplot: A Restaurant Renovation in the Old Sixth Ward
Photos: Swamplot inbox
Googling the phone number brought me to this chronicle article from 2011 (long link to avoid paywall): https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB4QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chron.com%2Fnews%2Fhouston-texas%2Farticle%2FCall-877-727-5953-to-park-in-Houston-2228079.php&ei=QtgNVIzQNcmI8QHr3oCoCg&usg=AFQjCNFfqI7AZAGZq-siSiI90iTqg8wwYg
It’s the city: http://houston.cbslocal.com/2011/10/20/city-announces-parkmobile-pay-by-phone-parking-program/
In the Museum District and downtown, you can pay by phone. Never used it since they have meters too.
@Fernando – yes but those signs are green (as I recall) and have the name of the vendor, and are also located on the meters. The question remains whether this is legit, done by the city, or just an overzealous property owner going rogue.
The signs are City of Houston signs. They are managing parking in the parking benefit district where a meter cannot be installed. You can pay-by-phone or walk to a nearby meter and get a receipt for your dashboard.
You can pay by phone (call or app) to park at any meter that has a parking zone #, which means any space metered by the City. Not limited to Museum District, Washington, or Downtown.
From http://www.houstonparking.org:
Pay By Phone
Register with Parkmobile!
Parkmobile Frequently Asked Questions
You can now start your parking transaction from the convenience of your mobile device. You can elect to receive an alert before your time expires; helping you to avoid a parking citation.
The service is easy use:
Register at http://www.parkmobile.com.
Use the mobile app, the internet, or a phone call to pay for parking.
When you are ready to park, enter the zone number displayed at the meter and the amount of time you wish to purchase.
A digital receipt is sent to your mobile device.
There is a .35 cents transaction fee or you can choose to pay a monthly service fee of $1.75 which drops the transaction fee to .25 cents.
Your parking transaction is transmitted real-time to the handheld devices used by the Parking Enforcement Officers.
Oh joy…almost as convenient as free parking.
I’m sure neighbors in the surrounding streets will love this.
Anyone think to Google the number?
http://www.houstontx.gov/parking/warehousedistrictpresentation.pdf
I imagine the meters are going to be installed soon, they just got the signs up first.
My understanding is that they MUST permit payment in cash (read the small print about “legal tender for all debts…).
For my part, I simply don’t trust cell phone security.
And if you’re ticketed for Parking While Intoxicated, Tyler can help.
It seems strange but perfectly “Houston” to pay for valet parking to go to a restaurant but a heresy punishable by burning at the stake to pay for street parking and go to a restaurant.