Spotted near Todos Santos Plaza in Concord. I wonder what the story is behind this store? Very interesting window display.
Spotted near Todos Santos Plaza in Concord. I wonder what the story is behind this store? Very interesting window display.
This month the city of Walnut Creek introduced a new option to pay for downtown parking meters via cell phone app. Note there is an additional 35 cent charge for the privilege of paying via this method.
From a press release:
The City of Walnut Creek in partnership with Parkmobile, LLC, launched a pay by phone option for all 1,500 parking meters downtown. Customers can pay to park on-the-go using Parkmobile’s app for iPhone, Android, Windows, Amazon, and Blackberry phones, or by calling the toll-free number on the green meter stickers.
“The City is pleased to provide parking customers another way to pay for parking at the meter in addition to coins and credit cards.” said Carla Hansen, City of Walnut Creek Parking Manager.
Customers first must register by downloading the mobile app in their phone’s app store or online at www.parkmobile.com. Once registered, they may use the mobile app, internet, or the toll-free number listed on green meter stickers to pay for parking. After setting up their account, customers can immediately start using the system with their registered mobile phone.
Customers simply enter the zone and meter number located on the green meter sticker, select the amount of time they would like to park and “start parking.” The app allows parking sessions to be extended by phone without returning to the meter as long as the parking session has not hit the hourly limit. There is a $0.35 convenience fee paid by parking customers.
Other Cities throughout the Bay Area using Park Mobile include Oakland, San Rafael, Sausalito and Vallejo, San Mateo. The City plans to add the ability to use Park Mobile in the City’s three garages in the future.
A reader asks:
I cannot decide between going with MCE clean Energy or staying with PG&E. The rates are very similar. In addition, I also have solar panels on my roof. The automatic MCE 50% option goes into effect on September 12. See link below. Do you have any recommendations or comments?
https://www.mcecleanenergy.org/walnutcreek/
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
Ever since Broadway Plaza placed boxes at the entrances to the new Broadway Plaza parking garage in downtown Walnut Creek we knew the days of free parking were going to be over, and the East Bay Times confirms it noting that parking charges will begin on September 12th for any car parked over 2 hours. No word on validation offers but given the new dining options in Broadway Plaza that would be nice to have as lunch plus shopping could easily take over two hours.
From the article:
The first hour of parking beyond the first two free hours will cost $3. Three to four hours of parking will cost $5, and four to five hours will cost $7. Cars left beyond five hours will be charged the daily maximum of $25, according to Tracy Dietlein, a Macerich spokeswoman.
Considering the increased areas and times for pay parking in downtown Walnut Creek not to mention stricter enforcement, this comes as no surprise and I’m just waiting for the few private parking garages that offer 3 hours of free parking to also eventually start charging. I guess it’s time to start parking at the Walnut Creek BART garage and take the free shuttle to downtown?
A reader asks:
Are there any ice cream trucks that operate in Walnut Creek? Our neighborhood is holding a block party next month and we’d love to get an ice cream truck to stop by.
The new Broadway Plaza garage behind Macy’s is looking great in downtown Walnut Creek. But has anyone noticed these boxes at the entrances? I hope that’s not what I think it is, but it sure does look like parking tolls to me. A valet parking attendant mentioned that Broadway Plaza will start charging in the new year. Anyone know what’s going on?
“Bicycle Watchers” bike rack, spotted in downtown Walnut Creek in front of Vineyard Vines.
Spotted at the Walnut Creek Ike’s Love & Sandwiches shop. I thought this was curious as I have never encountered such an explanation before:
rather than secretly raise our prices, we want to be transparent with this new implementation process…
Wouldn’t raising prices be transparent? If a sandwich used to cost $9.95, and now it costs $10.45, wouldn’t that be transparent to me? After all, it’s on the menu. 🙂 This sign on the other hand…
