Garage evaluation results yield ‘areas of concern’

Published in: The Globe
Originally published: December 8, 2010
By Kalea Hall and Katie Janicik 

After being evaluated by A & A Consultants Inc. in 2009, a number of the Pittsburgh Parking Authority's garages earned a rating of less than fair, meaning major repairs are needed.

Due to the fact that they drive to school, many student commuters are voicing their concerns about the garages and the fact that their conditions are not quite up to par.

"Some of the other garages they look a little rundown, and I always feel a little hesitate to even walk inside them. I think it's because they are not as well-lit as the one on Boulevard of the Allies," said Yip, senior secondary education major.

Student commuters find parking crackdown, prices ‘inconvenient’

Published in: The Globe

Originally published: November 30, 2010

By Kalea Hall and Katie Janicik 

Marissa Deasy says she "usually" has negative parking experiences.

As a commuter from Oakland, Leah Fox appreciates the shuttle services provided by Point Park University despite having negative experiences commuting.

Meagan Stroud, United Student Government press secretary (USG), said "USG is more than willing to do everything" they can to assist commuters.

"It's really inconvenient to be a commuter, but I do empathize [with the school] because what are they supposed to do? They can't just build a parking lot," said Fox, a junior Conservatory of Performing Arts major.

In an era when Pittsburgh is using parking as both a means of funding and as a form of punishment, there are numerous ways in which Point Park students can find a place to park without breaking their tight budgets.

Point Park backs website to prevent transportation crisis

Published in: The Globe

Originally published: November 30, 2010

By Kalea Hall

Lucinda Beattie, vice president of transportation for the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP), believes Pennsylvania voters need to let legislators know the transportation crisis is a "priority issue."

Mariann Geyer, vice president for external affairs, said the transportation crisis will have a "chilling effect" on all of Point Park's students.

Michael Potoczny, United Student Government president, said his goal is to keep "transportation to the school affordable."

As of Oct. 2010,  3,092 commuters attending Point Park University and representatives for the school have joined the PDP in making the transportation crisis a priority issue for legislators. On Nov. 24, the Port Authority Board of Directors voted in favor of administering service cuts in March 2011 and fare increases on Jan. 1, 2011.  With their new website, keeppghmoving.com, the PDP has created a way for legislators to hear the voice of the Pittsburgh community, including Point Park University, speak about the transportation issue.

 "Unless the legislature acts to fill the shortfall in PennDOT's (Pennsylvania Department of Transportation) budget for this year, we will have those service cuts and this becomes an issue of voters letting their legislators know that this [issue] is a priority," Beattie said in a phone interview.

Pension crisis negotiations continue as council members demand ‘clarification’

Published in: The Globe

Originally published: November 9, 2010

By Kalea Hall and Katie Janicik 

Pittsburgh City Council and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl have yet to agree on a solution to the city pension deficit crisis. 

A bill was rewritten and voted to be amended and put on hold by City Council during the Nov. 9 meeting.        

The new bill allows Ravenstahl and the Pittsburgh Parking Authority to negotiate a transfer of the city's parking assets to the Parking Authority. The Parking Authority would then pay for them.

"I don't believe you can just sit down and change a plan and then decide you're not going to negotiate it," said Darlene Harris, Council President and District One Representative.

City Council Members Vote Council-Controller’s Plan

Published in: The Globe

Originally published: October 26, 2010

By Kalea Hall and Katie Janicik 

Pittsburgh City Council members voted to accept the council-controller plan at the City Council meeting on Tuesday allowing the city to avoid a state takeover.

The council-controller plan will provide a solution to the pension crisis by selling the city's parking facilities to the Pittsburgh Parking Authority. Some members feel it will not work but know a compromise is needed to come to a decision by their deadline of Nov. 1.

"[Council]President [Darlene]Harris said ‘Don't ever vote for privatization,'" Councilwoman Theresa Kail-Smith, District 2 representative, said at the meeting.  "Maybe there is a compromise somewhere."

Pension still causes tension

Published in: The Globe

Originally published: October 19, 2010

By Kalea Hall and Katie Janicik 

Even with a collection of Pittsburgh firefighters at the council meeting on Oct. 19., fighting for Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's parking lease plan to be reconsidered, City Council effectively nixed the plan.

With an underfunded pension plan, councilmen are currently looking at the council controller plan or a state takeover, now that the mayor's plan has been killed.

"We need to reinvest in lots of things in this city, but we are not selling them. We should not be selling our soul and selling our city and selling our assets for 50 years. Now is not the time for threats. Now is the time to consider alternatives," Councilman Patrick Dowd, representative for District 7, said at the meeting.

City cracks down in South Side

Published in: The Globe 

Originally published: October 19, 2010

By Kalea Hall 

Emily Levier thinks the new enforcement of parking in the South Side is ridiculous.

Tony Moux agrees with Levier and believes money is the reason why the crackdown is happening now.

Lt. Shirley Sloan, commander of Zone 3(South Side), believes the enforcement is positive because it shows consideration of the people that live there.

On the weekend of Oct. 8, Pittsburgh Police made the official crackdown on parking in the South Side by issuing a total of 243 parking citations, towing 84 cars for parking illegally and giving one moving violation. This past weekend, 165 parking citations were issued, 30 cars were towed and three moving citations were given.

"For the rest of the remaining weekends for the month of October, it will continue," Sloan said in a phone interview. "Along with assistance of plain clothes squads that will also be addressing some of the issues that we have in complaints because of the previous crimes reported…There has been a few robberies, the urination that goes on, the disorderly conduct and the fights."