The technology is being provided to the city free during the three-month pilot period, but if the pilot is successful, Mr. Bloomberg said the companies who make the apps would share parking revenue with the city.

WSJ: Parking App Helps Drivers Spot Spaces

Like many of the other Nickelodeons -- as the people who share this church parking lot call themselves -- Bruce Beavers never expected to be homeless.

CNN: Tent city becomes home in tough times

So, does John the shoeshine guy share the optimism that the mall parking lots seem to suggest?

FORBES: The Subtle Insights of Joe the Plumber, Frank the Barber, and John the Shoeshine Guy

Part of the dispute revolved around a 750-space underground parking garage that WME would have had to share with a rival talent firm, the Gersh Agency, which had recently moved into a building next door.

WSJ: How Garage Stymied Hollywood Super Agent