NEWPORT — Finding a free spot to park while visiting Newport on the Levee may soon get tougher.

        In an effort to keep revenue up at city-owned lots at the Levee and to remove Levee parking from residential areas, Newport officials may put scores of parking meters throughout a large portion of town.

        The area being considered is between Columbia and Washington, and Sixth and Third streets.

        “I think that's not really a bad idea and I think it could be done pretty quickly,” said Newport Police Chief Thomas Fromme.

        Mr. Fromme has studied the possibility of adding the meters and believes they could be up and running in three to four months. He said he sees people walking from as far away as Fourth and Fifth streets to the Levee.

        “It's been a big problem for the residents,” he said. “It doesn't bother anybody if they park in the commercial zones or school zones when school's not in session. It's when they encroach upon the residential neighborhoods, then it becomes a problem.”

        The police chief will present the plan he's prepared to city commissioners at a future meeting for discussion and possible later action.

        City Commissioner Ken Rechtin suggested the city look at the possibility of using the meters during Monday night's commission meeting. His suggestion was spurred by talk of generating more revenue from the city's Levee parking lots.

        The commission passed a first reading of an ordinance approving a new operator for the parking lots. Columbus-based Parking Solutions Inc. will replace Cincinnati-based Central Parking as the operator.

        Parking Solutions Inc. was selected by Newport on the Levee officials because one of its sister developments in Columbus has had success with the company.

        The city owns the garage at the Levee and a lot at Fourth and Columbia. To pay off the bonds used to build those lots, the city expects a certain amount of revenue from them.

        That revenue, combined with private pledges to the city and a sales tax credit, are expected to net $2 million per year to pay off the bonds, according to Newport Chief Financial Officer Greg Engelman.

        Parking, which used to be collected on an hourly rate upon exiting the garage, is now paid at a flat rate on entry.

        Parking now costs $2 to $5 depending on the time of day and day of the week.

        “It's been kind of a feeling-out process,” said City Manager Phil Ciafardini. “Testing the rate structure has been a continuing process since last fall.”

        Mr. Engelman said the change had less to do with revenue and was more because of problems getting out of the garage. As people waited to pay upon their exit from the entertainment complex that draws thousands, congestion was occurring.

        “We wanted to eliminate the problem of getting out of the garage,” said Mr. Engelman. “We've gotten nothing but compliments since that change.”

        Metered parking has been added outside of the garage so short-term visitors don't have to pay the set fee.

        Commissioner Jerry Peluso said he would like to see signs in the city directing visitors to the Fourth Street lot. He wants to see more use out of that lot and believes people would rather park in the lot than pay to park on the street.

        “If we do that, I'm sure we can fill that lot and get more revenue,” said Mr. Peluso.

        As for free parking, visitors can still find it along Riverboat Row. Those spaces are largely controlled by the nearby restaurants and should remain free of charge for their patrons.

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