Seawall Parking Meters

First, the idea I had after the First Idea, since it probably makes more sense this way:

Now, considering the length of Seawall, and considering that metered parking should cover both sides of the street, from 61st back to 6th (right there at Wings I mean), then we have to minimize the equipment expense. I think this is simplest by having the actual meter devices at traffic-lighted intersection only. Signs notifying parkers of the need to use meters could be installed every 1/3rd block, or 100 ft - whatever distance is appropriate to make sure people have a reasonable chance of noticing without having a ridiculous number of signs installed.

Assuming Seawall Parking Meters would be installed as a "Phase 2" after the new WiFi meters are a huge, money-grubbing success on the Strand, a few things need to be clarified:

• The money needs to be going to the right place. If the Strand meters are being used to fund Strand-specific advertising, then this needs to be guaranteed by giving it to the Downtown Partnership, or other organization committed to doing this, not left in the city's coffers to be re-appropriated on a whim.
• The Seawall meters would therefore need to be given to an equivalent organization - the Seawall Partnership if you don't care about points for originality - for them to spend on advertising.
• Alternatively, all meter funds could be pooled, and used for advertising both of these area, or the island in general.

I personally like the private organization myself of course, with the caveat that the funds should work toward the betterment, as well as the advertising of said zone. For instance,

• Updating the silver map plaque on the Strand to the current century.
• Improving sidewalk, handicap access, benches, etc along Strand.
• Expanding the "painted benches" concept on Seawall.
• Paying for more porta-potties on Seawall.

Anyway, the First Idea:

On weekends such as the one we are currently entering (Mardi Gras), Fourth of July, and the like, where people are likely to want to park for extended periods of time on Seawall, I propose a Weekend Pass. This pass would be valued at $x+c, where x is how long the pass is good for in hours, times the standard rate (perhaps slightly discounted), plus a convenience/printing charge to cover not having to check your vehicle every 8 hours or so. This pass would be displayed just like a normal meter pass, but perhaps color-coded.

A few things I'm still undecided on: Should charge increase per axle? Per spot used? I know a lot of the extended parkers are RVs, and that they enjoy coming down here specifically because it's so cost-effective to do so, and I don't want to scare them away by milking them. By far the easiest thing to do would be to just have a flay dollar/hour charge on all vehicles, and leave it at that. I'm leaning this way just for the simplicity, and the users of the system would see the overall fairness. But, one could certainly argue that an RV taking up 3 spots should pay for 3 spots worth somehow.

Please offer your opinions.