Why Chicago Doesn’t Own its Parking Meters

More than a decade ago, the city sold control of its curb parking to private investors.

1 minute read

November 2, 2023, 7:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Close-up of standard grey parking meter on Chicago street.

Matthieu / Adobe Stock

Writing in Jalopnik, Colin Woodard argues that the city of Chicago’s decision to sell control of its parking meters to a group of private investors in 2008 was, in retrospect, “a disaster for the city.”

“Not only did Morgan Stanley jack up the hourly rate on all 36,000 parking meters, but it also requires the city to compensate it for lost revenue any time something such as a parade or road construction temporarily prevents access to a parking meter.” This includes adding new bus stops, raising another hurdle to expanding the city’s bus network.

Woodard adds, “As it turns out, Morgan Stanley actually paid billions less than the deal was worth, and the contract doesn’t expire until 2084, which means most of us will be dead by the time it’s up.” Woodard links to a video from Climate Town that explains the issue in more depth.

Tuesday, October 31, 2023 in Jalopnik

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Concrete Brutalism building with slanted walls and light visible through an atrium.

What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities

How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.

February 28, 2025 - Justin Hollander

Complete Street

‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge

Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.

February 27, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Skating rink under freeway in Bentway park in Toronto, Canada.

Montreal’s Gorilla Park Repurposes Defunct Railway Track

The park is part of a global movement to build public spaces that connect neighbors and work with local elements to serve as key parts of a city’s green infrastructure.

February 24, 2025 - The Globe and Mail

Adult holding young child facing away from camera looking at wind turbines sillhouetted against the sunset.

Art in Action: USC Event Calls for an Urgent Green Energy Transition

The El Respiro / Respire event at USC uses a large-scale human geochoreography to demand an urgent and equitable transition to green energy, blending art, activism, and community engagement to amplify the message of climate justice.

March 5 - USC Today

Bird's eye view of half full parking lot at night.

Safe Parking Programs Help People Access Housing

The safety and stability offered by Safe Parking sites have helped 40 percent of unhoused San Diego residents who accessed these programs get into permanent housing.

March 5 - Maui Now

Wide apartment building staircase with curved wrought iron handrail.

Study: Single-Staircase Buildings Pose No Additional Risks

Zoning codes have long prohibited single-stair residential buildings due to safety concerns, but changing that could lower the cost of construction and allow for more flexible housing designs.

March 5 - CNU Public Square

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.