Borough Council to get input on parking issues

The State College Borough Council will hear input at its 7:30 meeting tonight on several proposals regarding the cost and enforcement of parking downtown.

The proposals include raising hourly rates for parking garages, lots and street meters, council member Elizabeth Goreham said.

Parking rates may be raised to bring in enough revenue for the borough to pay for costs such as building a new parking facility and repairing the Pugh Street Parking Garage, Ed Holmes, borough parking manager said.

In addition, hours for meter enforcement may be extended to 2 a.m., rather than ending at 6 p.m, and the maximum parking time for on-street meters may increase after 5 p.m. from three to six hours, Goreham said.

Monthly rental fees for parking spots in the Foster Street Parking Lot and McAllister Street Parking Deck could be raised as well, council member Thomas Daubert said.

Daubert said he supports increasing rental rates because people should not be able to park all-day, every day and pay cheap rates.

--by Angela J. Gates