FLINT, MI -- A long-debated plan to bring parking meters back to downtown Flint is finally underway.

Electronic payment kiosks are being installed today throughout the downtown's central business district, said Gerard Burnash, executive director of the Flint Downtown Development Authority.

The 33 kiosks will cover 276 spaces on Saginaw Street from Flint City Hall north to the Flint River and along side streets from Buckham Alley to Brush Alley, he said. The meters are expected to be functional in about 30 days, he said.

The kiosks will accept coins and credit cards, and downtown parkers will be charged $1 an hour from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays, he said.

Flint has had free two-hour parking for years. Despite

that meters could have an adverse effect on downtown business, Burnash said the DDA does not expect much fallout.

"From the information we've received, most cities this size have parking meters," Burnash said. "Most people expect to have to pay for parking."

Parkers will have to enter their license plate number into the kiosk, which will allow them to move to any parking spot in the downtown area once they purchase their time.

Revenue from the meters will go toward

for the Rutherford Parking Deck, he said.

The total project cost the DDA $382,000.