Fullerton : Shoppers Taking Home Expired Parking Meters

More than 200 parking meters went up for sale Friday at City Hall, and by the end of the day there already had been a few purchases.

“We have had several responses already,” said Ginger Floody of the city’s Purchasing Department. “I really wonder what anyone would want with an old parking meter. Sometimes, people use it as a bank for their kids or as conversation pieces.”

The meters are available for $10. In bulk purchases, they are an even bigger bargain: $7.50 each for 26 to 49 meters and $5 each for more than 50.

The city began phasing out parking meters in its downtown area several years ago as part of its redevelopment program, city spokeswoman Sylvia Palmer said. To encourage visitors to shop downtown, the city posted two-hour parking signs instead, traffic engineer Paul Smith said.

“Other than the beach communities, we were probably one of the last communities in Orange County to get rid of their meters,” Smith said.

The meters netted Fullerton about $24,000 annually but cost $200 each to replace, and parts for the older machines were almost non-existent, officials said.

The meters can be purchased at the treasurer’s office in City Hall.