Chicago official warns Pittsburgh against parking leases
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At a Pittsburgh City Council meeting this afternoon, a Chicago alderman outlined a raft of problems with her city's lease of on-street parking rights to a private consortium for 75 years.
Leslie Hairston was one of five aldermen who voted against the December 2008 lease with Chicago Parking Meters LLC. Forty aldermen voted in favor of the agreement, proposed by Mayor Richard M. Daley's administration.
Ms. Hairston, who represents southern neighborhoods in Chicago's 5th Ward, said the agreement was pushed through council in 72 hours with no public comment. She said a large increase in parking rates created "sticker shock" for motorists.
Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl is considering a lease of parking garages and meters to boost the city pension fund. Ms. Hairston appeared at one in a series of meetings that Councilman Bill Peduto is holding on pensions.
First Published March 11, 2010 3:32 pm
