(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Visit Pittsburgh)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) New legislation that was 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 2026 NFL Draft. This 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. There is expected to be additional manpower that is needed during the upcoming massive three-day event that is being held from April 23rd through April 25th. Existing street parking rates in the city vary from $1.50 per hour to $4 per hour depending on where you park. Parking violations during the proposed rate increase period would cost $120. If the legislation is approved, the increased parking rates would be temporarily in effect from April 22nd through April 27th. California Avenue, East Ohio Street, James Street, Middle Street and Perrysville Avenue on the city’s North Side would be exempt from the increased rates under the proposed legislation. The language of it 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.