When State Street was remodeled a few years back, meters were not included in the design. So for the past few years, customers have been able to park for free on State Street for two hours per day.

Well, this has all changed with the installation of a parking kiosk for the 12 parking spots on State Street.

The kiosk is located on the east side of the street approximately half way down. It allows people to park their cars and go to the kiosk to pay for the appropriate time they will be staying, up to 2 hours, without having to go back to their cars to put a receipt in the window, etc.

The meter person then only needs to check the kiosk to see who has outstayed their time.

A map of the parking spots has been affixed to one of the light poles indicating which number spot you are parked in, as you need to put this number in the kiosk when paying.

The cost to park on State Street is the same as all other on-street parking within the City of Auburn, $1 per hour. The kiosk takes change only.

So, if you are parking on State Street, please remember that this new system is in place and go to the kiosk, put in your money and enter your space number. Please send any comments on this parking kiosk to the BID office via e-mail at aubdpbid@CentralNY.TWCBC.com or by phone at 252-7874 or even by mail to 131 Genesee St., and we will forward your comments on to the city.

During this cold and snowy season the Downtown Auburn Business Improvement District invites you to come downtown and experience the special nature of retail in Auburn. Downtown Auburn has a customer friendly and eclectic retail base that offers a wide variety of services and opportunities to buy unique and exciting items. Here are a few by name:

� Speno Music offers everything you would need for the musician in your family from the beginner to the seasoned pro.

� The Liberty Store is a complete outfitter for men. Quality clothing and footwear from work, to casual to dress to formal with impeccable service. They also specialize in Big and Tall sizes.

� Sam's Shoes specializes in work and comfort shoes while offering the mending and fixing of shoes, purses, saddles, hockey equipment, skates, etc #) anything that can be sewn.

� Gregory & Picciano Electric Company offers expertise in the lighting and electrical arena. Find bulbs, switches and even vacuum cleaner bags as well as have your appliance fixed on site.

Many downtown Auburn specialty retailers include:

Finger Lakes Scuba, Photo Magnum Laboratories, Crosman's Jewelers, T & K Hardware, The Medicine Shoppe, McEvoy Florist, Lynch's Furniture, Gula's Clock Shop, James Meyer Bookbinding Service, Lincoln Gallery, Nash's, Auburn Antiques, Quality Rentals, Sterling Forest Designs, LLC, PBJ on the Corner, Auburn Document Center, The UPS Store and Auburn Antiques.

For a full list with contact information visit www.auburndowntown.com or call the BID office at 252-7874 and request your free copy of the Experience Downtown Auburn brochure.

Sandra Craner is executive

director of the Downtown Auburn BID. She can be reached at 252-7874