Perkins Rowe adding paid parking spots

Parking meters are being installed for 190 parking spots in front of stores in the Perkins Rowe lifestyle center. The pay parking spots account for about 7% of all the available spaces in the shopping center, says Rachel Rivet, a spokeswoman for the center. Rivet says the spaces were converted to keep spots turning over in front of stores and to allow shoppers the convenience of paying for close parking. The shift to paid parking is expected to reduce traffic by about 30% in Perkins Rowe, since shoppers won’t be hunting for open spots. For long-term visitors, such as people going to dinner and a movie at Perkins Rowe, free spots are available in the parking garages. Center officials plan to use the proceeds from the parking meters for maintenance and events. The meters will become active in the next month. The time increments for the meters and fees have not been determined.—Timothy Boone