Little Italy - The vibrant Italian neighbourhood that stretches along Preston Street from Carling to Somerset recently had new "Pay & Pasta" parking meters installed to help draw visitors to the area. A well known location for Italian cuisine, the City Of Ottawa in association with the Preston Street BIA, developed the concept of dispensing pasta last spring as a way to help boost enjoyment for paid parking. The new machines operate much like a normal Pay & Display parking machine would, except it dispenses delicious, fresh Italian style pasta in addition to your parking display slip. The added pasta feature not only makes parking in Little Italy a more rewarding exerience, but also gives visitors a chance to savour a taste of the neighbourhood. "I really enjoyed getting fresh fettucini pasta dispensed along with my parking slip." explained Preston Street visitor Gail Herman, who often frequents the variety of Italian shops in the area. "This way I can park and have a treat to take home for dinner." praised Herman.
Even though the new Pay & Pasta machines are receiving high praise from many, there are a few parking visitors who are complaining the machines do not dispense gluten-free pasta, such as Norm Little, who traveled from Westboro to park on Preston Street. "I think they have to address the growing need for gluten-free drivers who park here." Little remarked. "We pay the same price to park but can't enjoy the type of pasta these new machines dispense." said Little.
New pasta types will be introduced each month, with March slated for spaghetti, and April lasagna pasta. Mayor Jim Watson unveiled the first machine to be installed on Preston Street yesterday and called the Pay & Pasta machines a great way to literally enjoy the flavour of the neighbourhood. "It's great that your money not only gets you parking in one of the finest cities in Canada, but also fresh delicious pasta in a variety of shapes." Watson exclaimed during the unveiling.
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