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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?”
- Leslie K - Wednesday, Mar 4, 26 @ 2:02 pm:
==Creating more barriers to park in a downtown desperate for more foot traffic/business development is extremely short-sighted. ==
Agree. I don’t have experience with Metropolis specifically, but such a setup seems better suited to garages that cater more to daily/monthly parkers (which I guess this does, a bit). What if I just stop in once or twice a year for a show/event? What if I am a tourist in a rental vehicle?
When I lived in Springfield I was walking distance to Hoogland and took full advantage of that. If I was going there now, would probably just take my chances with street parking (as was already mentioned). Or not go.
- SKI - Wednesday, Mar 4, 26 @ 2:09 pm:
Metropolis controls most of the lots near Ballpark Village in St Louis. I parked in last year and it had a sign that said “special rate in effect” without stating the rate. Once you signed in, you were informed the rate was $45 and you were charged for the amount because you were already in the lot. I tried contesting it through their “help” and got nowhere.
I have other friends who passed through the lots and decided not to park. They were still sent invoices and told it would he turned over to bill collectors. Apparently metropolis uses their AI to match your plate to other consumer databases like Flock and tracks you down simply for crossing into a lot.
Terrible company with shady business practices that probably need regulated.
- Oklahoma - Wednesday, Mar 4, 26 @ 2:13 pm:
How is this AI? It’s like calling the scanner at the grocery store AI.
AI = stock price inflation
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Mar 4, 26 @ 2:21 pm:
Why on earth would Springfield go out of its way to discourage people from coming downtown?
My organization recently implemented this at one of our parking garages. I get the need for savings, but it has not been well-received here. My organization also raised parking fees, and combined with this, is seeing less revenue because fewer cars are being parked there. Empty parking lots don’t serve anyone well.
Also had a friend who parked in downtown Chicago at one of these types of AI lots. She exited behind the vehicle in front of her since she prepaid using spot hero. The AI didn’t record her leaving and she got a $3500 parking bill a few weeks later. Ugh.
This is the future. And to my eyes, the future looks bleak.
- vertigo - Wednesday, Mar 4, 26 @ 2:23 pm:
some of chicago’s south side beach parking is metropolis. theyre correct in saying its seamless, but each time you enter your information is processed somewhere on the web and shared with god knows who. it just feels like another money grab combined with an identity intrusion. when will metropolis be hacked and our personal information leaked on the dark web?
- Pot calling kettle - Wednesday, Mar 4, 26 @ 2:32 pm:
==Why on earth would Springfield go out of its way to discourage people from coming downtown?==
Same goes for the Fashion Outlet mall. I have occasionally popped in when waiting for someone at O’Hare - free parking and better to browse and, perhaps buy something. So much for that.
- politico - Wednesday, Mar 4, 26 @ 2:34 pm:
Springfield has no business making it any LESS appealing to be downtown. Considering the entire place is a dump full of empty businesses. Stupid
- Keeping IT Real - Wednesday, Mar 4, 26 @ 3:12 pm:
Not to pile on, but yes downtown Springfield is very sad these days. Especially after-hours. I don’t know what the solution is but I hope somehow somebody comes to the rescue….
- ArchPundit - Wednesday, Mar 4, 26 @ 3:45 pm:
===How is this AI? It’s like calling the scanner at the grocery store AI.
This is my question. Sounds like a plate reader tied to a database.
- Big Lou - Wednesday, Mar 4, 26 @ 5:22 pm:
How does it work if you go into a store and wanna get your parking validated
- Amalia - Wednesday, Mar 4, 26 @ 5:36 pm:
Is metropolis based in Tennessee? I had a Metropolis charge last year (doing taxes now) and it said Tn. we have not been in that state in a while.
- Cornerfield - Wednesday, Mar 4, 26 @ 6:13 pm:
Metropolis? Oh no! It is all over the place in Nashville, TN. For the 2 years our son was down there we had several runins with them. Horribly shady with their “gotchyas”. First bummer was on me and my naivety. We went downtown to eat and they had a parking lot with a sign I didn’t take the time to read the fine print. Got dinged $50 for. Easy smeasy though with the QR reader thing. Then we really ran into grief a couple of times since he did Uber Eats as a side hustle. Their ALPR’s would ding him even though he only bopped in to for a drop off. Their signs out front are small and easy to miss. They also tried to get cute with late payment fees more than once. Because of Metropolis, I have vowed to never give Nashville my touristing money ever again if I can help it.
- NoLi - Wednesday, Mar 4, 26 @ 8:30 pm:
According to Google private equity helps fund these folks and as we know private equity’s only goal is to squeeze every penny than can out of a business.
- Give us Barabbas - Thursday, Mar 5, 26 @ 2:05 am:
DSI spent money on heart sculptures and decals when it should have been dealing with stopping this parking nonsense that will depress downtown visiting for a long time after it’s fixed. You have no idea how many years downtown has been fighting the meme that the parking is in short supply and overpriced, and now Metro comes in to make the legend real all over again.
- Leah Wilson - Thursday, Mar 5, 26 @ 10:06 am:
@Barabbas: The parking issue in downtown is a matter of both perception and reality, and one feeds the other, as you pointed out. Downtown Springfield definitely needs to address both of those issues. I would say that it’s crucial to not only address perception, but to get to some real solutions backed by data on where parking is most needed, especially parking ramps that are clearly marked with a big, blue ‘P’. If we really want to welcome folks who aren’t familiar with downtown, we need to invest in public ramps in strategic locations where visitors congregate and want to spend more than 2 hours at a time. This is standard in cities with vibrant downtowns. Yes, they are expensive. Implementing the master plan for downtown will take hundreds of millions. Successful revitalization strategies almost always require big, bold plans and the commensurate leadership to implement them. But those herculean efforts pay for themselves in the long run, which is why Springfield needs to take the long view. In regards to your comment about DSI spending money on heart sculptures and decals, I’d like to correct some misinformation (not your fault): As the person who raised the initial funding for the heart, I can tell you it didn’t deplete DSI’s funds. The cost for the led hearts and decals, which they did pay for, is trivial compared to the impact of creating a feeling of solidarity and hope among downtown businesses. DSI is one of several organizations, businesses and die-hard downtown advocates forming a grassroots movement to not only improve the perception of downtown, but to remind people why a healthy downtown is so important to the overall health of our city. And while it may seem like just a cute campaign, I can tell you that everyone involved (DSI included) is resolute in the mission to make real change happen. It will not be easy, which is why we encourage every single person who wants to see downtown reach its potential to get involved. Email myheartsdowntown@gmail.com to get to work.
- Anon - Friday, Mar 6, 26 @ 1:36 am:
How is the “ai” that metropolis is using any different than the license plate software that the state and municipalities have used for iPass and red light camera tickets.