Crews are changing the parking meter prices and times on meters in the downtown and Short North areas, as well as adding 400 new parking meters to previously free spaces. The changes come after a long debate about how best to up rates to help pay for the construction of a new convention center hotel. The original rate change, pulled from the funding plan for the shelved Columbus Streetcar initiative, upset business owners in the up-and-coming Gay Street area and downtown. A commission revised the plan which was approved and is now being implemented. The costs are as follows:

Half hour meters will cost 50 cents.
Two, three, and six hour meters will cost 75 cents per hour.
Twelve hour meters will cost 40 cents per hour.

Additionally, meters will mostly run until 10 p.m. The changes will raise around $2.1 million annually and will go into full affect by Labor Day.