Downtown Parking Meter Changes Now in Effect

City Council that would have doubled parking meter fees in Ocean City's downtown shopping district. But the council did approve a few changes that take effect immediately, according to a June 21 news release from the Ocean City Police Department.

The changes apply to Asbury Avenue between Sixth and 14th streets and to the blocks of certain downtown sidestreets between Central and West avenues. The changes are as follows:

• Meter enforcement hours are now 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (The old hourse were 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
• The maximum parking time increases from two hour to three hours.
• Meters will now accept dimes and nickels as well as quarters.
• New meters will be placed on the east side of the 1300 block of Asbury Avenue.

The parking meter fees remain at 25 cents per hour in the downtown district. Dimes (24 minutes) and nickels (12 minutes) will now be accepted.

In extending the enforcement hours from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., City Council suggested last month that the move would help downtown merchants by preventing Boardwalk traffic from taking up spaces by using Asbury Avenue as free parking.

The maximum time limit increase allows visitors more potential time to dine and shop in the downtown.

All signs reflecting the changes are now posted, according to Ocean City Police Capt. Steven Ang.