New legislation proposed in front of Pittsburgh City Council would increase city parking meter rates Downtown and on the North Shore to $5 per hour during the upcoming NFL draft.
The legislation was proposed by Councilman Bobby Wilson, who represents the city’s District 1, which includes parts of Downtown Pittsburgh and parts of the North Side.
Under the proposed legislation, the increased revenue from the higher rates would help to offset expenses to the Public Parking Authority of Pittsburgh, as there’s expected to be additional manpower needed during the three-day event that’s being held from April 23 through April 25.
Existing street parking rates in the city vary from $1.50 per hour to $4.00 per hour depending on where you park.Â
Officials from Visit Pittsburgh have estimated that at least 500,000 people are expected to come to the city for the NFL draft.
The language of the proposed legislation explains that the existing penalties for parking violations are “unlikely to serve as a disincentive to violations” while parking lot and garage rates on the North Shore are expected to be in the ballpark of over $200 per day.
East Ohio Street, Middle Street, James Street, California Avenue and Perrysville Avenue on the city’s North Side would be exempt from the increased rates under the proposed legislation.
Parking violations during the proposed rate increase period would cost $120.Â
If approved, the increased parking rates would be temporarily in effect from April 22 through April 27.Â
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