Pittsburgh Mayor's Parking Garage Lease Plan Faces Opposition from Residents

Strategic Insights -

Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's plan to lease the city's parking garages and meters has come under fire from residents, business owners, and city council members. At a recent City Council hearing, 40 people, including 15 speakers, voiced their opposition to the plan, citing concerns over increased parking rates, the potential for businesses and shoppers to leave the city, and the impact on the city's pension fund. The plan aims to generate $100 million to cover parking authority debt and $200 million to boost the pension fund, but critics argue that it would lead to higher taxes or service cuts if the city were to take over the pension fund.

Key Takeaways:

  • The plan to lease the city's parking garages and meters has been met with opposition from residents, business owners, and city council members.
  • The plan aims to generate $100 million to cover parking authority debt and $200 million to boost the pension fund, but critics argue that it would lead to higher taxes or service cuts if the city were to take over the pension fund.
  • Critics cite concerns over increased parking rates, which would deter shoppers and business owners from coming to the city.
  • Some business owners, such as President and co-owner of Wholey Fish Market, Robert Wholey, have vowed to vote against the plan.
  • City council members, including Doug Shields, have also expressed opposition to the plan, with Shields calling it "fraught with problems."
  • The city council has commissioned a study of the plan and possible alternatives, with a mid-September vote expected.
  • Residents have urged the council to continue studying alternatives and to present their own ideas.

Statistics:

  • 40 people attended the City Council hearing, with 15 speakers opposing the plan.
  • The plan aims to generate $100 million to cover parking authority debt and $200 million to boost the pension fund.
  • Critics estimate that higher parking rates could deter 75,000 shoppers from coming to the city.
  • The city's pension fund is at risk of state takeover at year's end, with the plan aiming to stave off this takeover.

Sources:

  • "City Council opposes parking garage lease plan: Hearing draws 40 people, all in opposition," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 27, 2010
  • "Mayor's plan for parking garages met with skepticism," Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, July 27, 2010
  • "Pittsburgh residents oppose plan to lease parking garages," KDKA-TV, July 26, 2010