City Officials Play Blame Game Over Parking Meters

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- It's a lot more expensive to park in the city of Pittsburgh, but it's also a lot more inconvenient unless you carry around a roll of quarters.

Is the public paying the price for a war between the mayor and council?

City Councilman Patrick Dowd says council gave the Parking Authority six extra months to "modernize" its parking meters, but the pleas were ignored.

Dowd and others on council say the Ravenstahl Administration dragged its feet on the council's plans to raise the rates to shore up the city pension because council voted down the mayor's plan to lease the parking garages.

"If the administration really wanted to see this plan succeed, they would have used the six month window that we gave them for modernization of meters and upgrading the system for just that purpose," he said.

Parking Authority Director David Onorato denied charges of foot-dragging. While saying council never asked for modern meters, the authority is putting them out for bid next month for Oakland, Downtown and the South Side.

But for now, if you park downtown or anywhere in Pittsburgh, bring your quarters until the city gets its act together.

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Parking Authority To Get Smart Parking Meters
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RELATED LINKS
Pittsburgh City Council
Pittsburgh Parking Authority