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Question of the day
Wednesday, Mar 4, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller * NPR Illinois in January…
* This morning Dumb Records, a record store and music venue in downtown Springfield, posted on Instagram that the parking lot behind its store is now enforced by Metropolis…
* More on Metropolis from the Baltimore Banner…
According to the company’s website, Metropolis has 4,600-plus locations and says it is the largest parking operator in the US. The Question: If you have parked in a Metropolis lot in Springfield or elsewhere, how was your experience? If not, what do you think of these AI-powered checkout-free parking lots? * Related…
* NBC Chicago | Fashion Outlets of Chicago begin charging for parking at suburban mall: “We are introducing a new paid parking program and transitioning parking operations to Metropolis, a best-in-class operator known for its customer-friendly approach,” a statement sent to NBC Chicago from Macerich, the mall’s owner said. “This update is designed to ensure convenient access for our guests while maintaining a positive overall experience at the center.” According to the mall, the first hour is free. After that, daily parking rates range from $13 for one to three hours; $20 for three to 12 hours and $50 for 12 to 24 hours. * Press release | Tennessee Attorney General Secures Settlement with Metropolis Parking to Stop Deceptive Practices and Provide Free Parking Program: Today, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti announced a settlement with Metropolis Technologies, Inc. (Metropolis), ending a years-long investigation by the Attorney General’s Office into the private parking company. Metropolis will pay $8.75 million to cover consumer refunds, litigation costs, and a free parking program. Metropolis will also be required to implement numerous changes to its business practices to promote transparency and protect consumers. Two years ago, the Attorney General’s Office launched its investigation into Metropolis following more than one hundred consumer complaints about unclear pricing and inadequate signage at Metropolis parking lots, as well as misleading communications about parking fees and violation notices. The investigation revealed that Metropolis misled consumers about its prices with inaccurate signs, charged surprise fees due to technology glitches, made obtaining refunds nearly impossible, and created confusion with notices that looked like government bills. To date, the Office has received over 300 complaints related to Metropolis. * WPLN | Tennessee gets free parking program out of $8.8M Metropolis settlement: Under the new Tennessee Parking Program, any driver with state plates trying to park in Nashville, Knoxville or Memphis can be eligible for up to $30 in free parking credits. The program launches this spring and requires a Metropolis membership. Drivers who paid to park at a Metropolis lot between July 1, 2021, and Jan. 6, 2026, may be eligible for a refund. Exact details on how to file a claim have not yet been released. * Crunch Base | AI-Powered Parking Platform Metropolis Raises $500M Series D At $5B Valuation: Metropolis, an AI-powered checkout-free parking platform, has secured $1.6 billion in debt and equity, including a $500 million Series D fundraise, the company announced Thursday. Los Angeles-based Metropolis says it is now valued at about $5 billion after the Series D raise, which was led by a fund managed by LionTree and included participation from BDT & MSD Partners’ affiliated credit funds, DFJ, Eldridge Industries, Slow Ventures, SoftBank Vision Fund 2, Tekne Capital and Vista. The company also secured a $1.1 billion term loan from JP Morgan Chase Bank.
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- Steve Rogers - Wednesday, Mar 4, 26 @ 12:43 pm:
I park at the Herndon garage next to Hoogland. The first month was a disaster. The exit gate didn’t open up most of the time and I was paid up on my monthly bill. It’s happened a couple times since then. When I was stuck, I had to call a number in San Antonio, Texas and argued with several different people that I was indeed paid up. When it works, it’s pretty seamless-drive in, drive out.
Since Metropolis took over, I have noticed significantly fewer cars in the garage. I think people who parked there before are now chancing it on the street or going to another lot.
- South of Sherman - Wednesday, Mar 4, 26 @ 12:58 pm:
I personally haven’t had any issues with it, other than the price (which is significantly higher than it was under the previous ownership). But I have been stuck in the Hoogland garage after big events because people can’t figure out how to use the system, so they can’t get out, trapping everyone behind them. Overall, it stinks, but it’s also the wave of the future, so you better get used to it.
- Amalia - Wednesday, Mar 4, 26 @ 1:09 pm:
charging to park at the Rosemont mall is short sighted
- DC Lurker - Wednesday, Mar 4, 26 @ 1:25 pm:
We used them for a few months while my building’s parking garage was getting renovated. It was mostly a painless process. The biggest issue was getting access to the car after hours, but I am willing to chalk that up as much to the design of the garage itself (which Metropolis did not control) as I am to Metropolis’s desire to keep the gates closed at night, but there were ways around even that. It worked pretty seamlessly when we ended up at another Metropolis lot as well; my credit card carried over automatically.
As Steve said, when it works it’s pretty seamless, even if the price does seem high.
- tditman2 - Wednesday, Mar 4, 26 @ 1:29 pm:
I parked at the Hoogland deck for the Nate Bargatze show. It was a very smooth process. Much better than anything my current town of residence has.
- NIU Grad - Wednesday, Mar 4, 26 @ 1:35 pm:
“meaning no more fumbling for a wallet or losing a ticket stub.”
Were the two seconds of someone taking out a wallet severely limiting Springfield’s downtown economic development?
Creating more barriers to park in a downtown desperate for more foot traffic/business development is extremely short-sighted. Do any of the state lots have signs saying that the public can park there “after 5 PM or on weekends?”