The new mixed-use parking structure on the site of the old Marathon station at Westfield Boulevard and College Avenue includes about 25,000 square feet of retail space and 344 parking spaces. The parking garage portion of the structure is managed by Newpoint Parking, located in Broad Ripple between the canal and Brugge Brasserie, at 6311 Westfield Boulevard [F6 on map]. Newpoint started in Broad Ripple 4 1/2 years ago and manages parking at several locations in the Village and downtown. I interviewed Todd Morris and John Sutton of Newpoint about the workings of the new garage.

The garage in unmanned. I asked what happens if there is a problem with the gate/payment systems. Todd explained that there is an intercom system that calls directly to Newpoint. Newpoint has several employees who are out and about each day and can respond quickly to a problem. "It is so sophisticated that if anything goes wrong, we get a text instantly," said Morris.

"I just got a text that one of the construction guys opened the gate to exit," added Sutton. "It can also say that there is a ticket jam or the machine doesn't have any change."

If a customer has trouble getting in or out through a gate, they can hit the call button and an operator will answer 24 hours. Newpoint has the ability to remotely sense any issues with the equipment and can control the gates if needed.

"We chose an Indiana company in Fort Wayne to supply all of the gates and credit card machines. That company has been very good to work with during the garage soft opening as we worked the bugs out of the system," said Morris.

The rates at the garage as effective 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 0-1 hour $2, 1-2 hours $3, 2-3 hours $4, 3-6 hours $6, and $9 for each additional 12 hour period. This makes for a good solution when a car needs to be left in Broad Ripple overnight allowing the driver to take a cab home. Previously, the driver would return the next day and find a pink parking ticket on the windshield.