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The city is offering frustrated drivers one more option to pay for parking in Cherry Creek North.

For years citizens have been complaining about the parking situation in the upscale shopping district of Denver, which consists of a kiosk system that has at times resulted in some people choosing to simply not shop in the area.

But Public Works on Friday announced the launch of a pilot program that allows drivers to pay for parking by phone. The Pay-by-Phone alternative allows drivers to call in with their credit card information, allowing them to bypass the controversial kiosks. The kiosk option, however, will remain available for the duration of the six-month pilot program.

Here’s how it works:

• Visit PayByPhone.com, or call 1-888-480-PARK;

• Provide mobile number, license plate and credit card to create a free account;

• Key in the location number that is posted near the parking spot, as well as the desired amount of parking time;

• The parking total plus a 35-cent service fee will be charged to the credit card.

City officials defend the service fee by pointing out that as part of the service, Pay-by-Phone will send text-message reminders to drivers when parking time is about to expire, which they say will cut back on citations.

Customers can call back at that time and add additional parking time up to the three-hour time limit.

“Pay-by-Phone in Cherry Creek North will offer the convenient option of paying for parking by using your phone while you are still in the car or extending your time by phone while shopping,” said City Council President Jeanne Robb. “It has the added benefit of providing proof of payment. This pilot program should enhance the customer experience in Cherry Creek North during the upcoming holidays.”

Since 2004 when the city installed the kiosk system to cut back on employees and construction workers taking prime spots, business owners and consumers have complained about the complicated nature of the system. They don’t like having to get out of the car, figure out the machine, print a receipt and then have to put the ticket back in the car to be displayed.

Seniors have complained about the little buttons, which has caused some of them to add too much time and waste money. Complaints surged when the city raised parking tickets from $20 to $25.

Itzhak Gnat, owner of Gnat Original Design at Clayton Street and 3rd Avenue, said he doubts the Pay-by-Phone system will make parking easier for customers. He says it will likely make things even more complicated for many of his customers, especially the older ones.

“When people have to make a big effort, they’d rather not even come,” he said.

Gnat — like many business owners in the area — are calling for good old-fashioned parking meters in the area.

“Now you’ve got to put in the card, go get your ticket from the kiosk — it’s a mess,” he said. “I think the city is losing more in sales-tax revenue than it’s making on parking meters, that’s my opinion.”

Meanwhile, the city is moving forward with spending $1.6 million to purchase 4,500 so-called “Smart Meters” for single spaces across the city. The Smart Meters accept Visa and MasterCard credit and debit cards in addition to coins. They also support a Pay-by-Phone system.

In the meantime, city officials are taking feedback on the Pay-by-Phone pilot program in order to decide whether to implement it on a citywide basis. Feedback can be given by visiting DenverMeter.com, or calling 3-1-1.

Gnat is hopeful that all these parking changes will attract customers to Cherry Creek North — but he has serious doubts.

“Almost every car on my block has had a ticket,” he said. “Why should customers even come to Cherry Creek?”

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