What's Happening in Rosedale, MD…

Parking meters designed for use by handicapped drivers will be in use soon in the Baltimore neighborhoods of Harbor East and Fells Point.

The meters expand on Baltimore Parking Authority's ‘Project Space’, an effort that requires handicapped drivers to pay for their parking.

Baltimore is changing 70 meters on single spaces to handicapped-only parking, and lowering 95 EZ Park meters, which allow as many as 10 cars to use the same meter. The meters were changed so they comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

All the handicap-only meters will have a time limit of four hours, so disabled drivers will have more time to complete their business.

Project Space started in Baltimore's downtown in 2014, when 200 meters were added, and the city began charging disabled drivers for parking, which had previously been free. Paying fees insures that there is no reason for anyone to steal a handicapped placard.

The project also aims at increasing the turnover at the meters by putting a time limit on the length people can park. Baltimore mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said Project Space has been effective in increasing the amount of parking available to people with disabilities, and at the same time reducing placard thefts. The new meters will go into service September 27.

Cities like these can benefit by working with postcard printing companies, which can create informative cards for citywide mailings.