PPA Staff – Page 47 – The Philadelphia Parking Authority.

#UnblockBikeLanes: Continuing the Conversation

In December 2013, the Philadelphia Parking Authority initiated #UnblockBikeLanes — a Twitter hashtag campaign to accomplish the following:

Give citizens the opportunity to report blocked bike lanes via Twitter.
Compile relevant data highlighting the most problematic areas with blocked bike lanes in the city.
Engage active voices within the Philadelphia community, in particular, The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia.

Since its launch more than a year ago, there have been over 270 reports of blocked bike lanes via #UnblockBikeLanes. On a daily basis, citizens have responded to our campaign and reported blocked bike lanes.

We’d like to thank the public for providing us with invaluable data and feedback on this vitally important issue and continuing the conversation of bicycle safety in Philadelphia.

One question that been frequently asked is, “What’s being done with #UnblockBikeLanes?”and today we aim to answer that question by sharing the data that we’ve been gathering since December 2013.

Here’s an interactive map which highlights bike lane ticket issuance and #UnblockBlockBikeLanes reports from December 18th, 2013 to December 18th, 2014. This information allows us to zero in on problem areas for proper enforcement. Check out the map, and feel free to reach out to us with any questions or comments.

With the release of this data, it’s our hope that local residents and visitors to our great city will continue utilizing #UnblockBikeLanes and let us know of any bike lane violations.

Again, thank you for utilizing #UnblockBikeLanes. We look forward to continuing the conversation and remember: if you see a blocked bike lane, tweet us a photo along with the location, time and day with the hashtag #UnblockBikeLanes. You may also call our hotline to report blocked bike lanes at 215-683-9627.

Posted on 7 May 2015
By PPA Staff
In Blog

#TBT: 11th and Market Street Park & Lock Garage

Remember a few months ago when we took a look at the grand opening of our Edison Park and Lock Garage? Well, we’re back again!

In 1961, the Edison Park and Lock Garage officially opened to the public, but it wasn’t until 1962 that the garage was officially complete. In the picture to the left, construction workers put on the finishing touches as they meticulously raised a 38 foot sign to the roof. Once the garage was complete, it housed 500 parking spaces on 11th and Market Streets.

Obviously as times change, so do the parking rates. Just take a look at the sign. The going rate for half-hour parking was only 15 cents!

Nowadays you won’t see the garage on 11th and Market Streets. Instead you’ll see entrances to the soon-to-be renovated Gallery at Market East. In fact, a few blocks away you’ll also notice our 8th & Filbert garage is undergoing a much anticipated transformation! Also, if you haven’t already, make sure you check out the discounts we currently offer at our AutoParks!

Once again, we’d like to thank M argery Sly, Director of the Special Collections Research Center at Temple University, for sharing these pieces of Philadelphia Parking Authority history with us.

Posted on 8 Apr 2015
By PPA Staff
In Blog

#TBT: Another Trip to the Rittenhouse Square Garage

If you saw last month’s #TBT, you took a stroll into the past and saw the opening ceremony for our old Rittenhouse Square Garage. This time around, we’re taking a glance at an artist’s sketch before it was built.

Before excavation began on February 10, 1953, this artist rendering gave a near perfect glimpse of what the Rittenhouse Square Garage would look like. Nowadays, the garage is still nestled at 18th and Walnut Streets right across from Philly’s treasured Rittenhouse Square Park . So the next time you’re at the Rittenhouse Farmers Market or taking your dog for a walk in the park, glance over to 18th and Walnut Streets.

There you have it. Another trip down the Philadelphia Parking Authority’s (PPA) memory lane. While you’re here check out the discounts we offer at our current garages!

And yet again, we’d like to thank M argery Sly, Director of the Special Collections Research Center at Temple University, for continuing to share pieces of PPA history with us.

Posted on 10 Mar 2015
By PPA Staff
In Blog

Ticket to Drive: What Every Driver in Philadelphia Needs to Know About Parking Violations

When you have coffee with friends, you normally chat about the weather, weekend plans or hobbies. Parking tickets? Not so much. We know ticketing isn’t everyone’s favorite topic, but there are some things that Philadelphia drivers need to know about parking violations. To get the parking ticket chat started, we’ve put together a list of things drivers need to know about tickets.

Parking Enforcement Officers only patrol during certain times of the day.

Believe it or not, our officers do not patrol 24/7. You’ll catch the PEOs on their beat during the following hours:

6:30AM to 11:00 PM Monday – Thursday
6:00 AM to 3:00 AM Friday – Saturday
7:30 AM to 10:00 PM Sunday

Please Note: The Philadelphia Police Department also enforces parking violations. They patrol 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Additionally, illegally parked vehicles are still subject to ticketing outside of the above-listed hours.

We are one of multiple entities that issue parking tickets.

Yes, you read that right; we’re not the only organization issuing parking tickets! Check out the list below for other ticket issuing agencies:

Philadelphia Police Department
Septa Police
University of Pennsylvania Police
Temple University Police
Center City District Police
Postal Police
Philadelphia Housing Authority
Fairmount Park Police

You have the right to contest any ticket.

If you want to contest a ticket, there are a number of ways to do it. Read about contesting a violation here.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about a ticket or violation, you can contact us on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).

Posted on 6 Feb 2015
By PPA Staff
In Blog

RFP # 15-01 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at Philadelphia International Airport

This Request for Proposals (RFP) is being issued by the Parking Authority (the “Authority”). The Authority is soliciting written proposals from qualified vendors to procure and install Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at the Philadelphia International Airport . The sole contact at the Authority shall be Mary Wheeler, Manager of Contract Administration, 701 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106 or email at [email protected].

RFP No. 15-01 Notice to Proposers

RFP No. 15-01 EV Charging Stations at PHL

Posted on 3 Feb 2015
By PPA Staff
In Bid & Solicitations Archive

#TBT: Rittenhouse Square Parking Garage

By now we’re sure you’ve noticed we like taking a glance into the past. It’s always enlightening to briefly glimpse backward to realize the how times changed.

As we sifted through vintage pictures of the Philadelphia Parking Authority’s (PPA) history for this month’s #TBT, we came across this one. And no — that’s not Uncle Fester with the blowtorch; it’s former PPA Chairman, Francis J. Chesterman.

In December 1953, the PPA opened its doors to the Rittenhouse Square Garage at 1845 Walnut Street. Flanked by Managing Director, Howard T. Scott (left) and Mayor Joseph S. Clark, Jr. (right), Chesterman officially opened the garage for public use. The garage took less than a year to complete and it’s still standing strong to this day. In fact, now it’s a privately-owned valet parking garage for apartments in Rittenhouse Square.

So there you have it — another peak into the PPA’s history. In the future, check out what our current garages have to offer. Many of them offer parking discounts and are convenient for when you need to park in Center City, Old City and other popular areas of the city.

Yet again, we’d like to thank Margery Sly, Director of the Special Collections Research Center at Temple University, for allowing us to share another gem of the PPA’s history.

Posted on 3 Feb 2015
By PPA Staff
In Blog

PEO Spotlight: Peter Free

We all have a story. It’s what makes us unique and different from one another. The bus driver who gets you to work — he has a story. The street vendors who make your breakfast sandwiches? They have a story. Our Parking Enforcement Officers (PEOs)? Yep — they all have a story too.

Here’s a brief story of Peter Free, a Northeast Philly native who became a PEO less than a year ago.

Before becoming a PEO, Free graduated from Bloomsburg University in 2014 as a music major.

“I play the trombone and double bass very well,” he says in a more than confident tone.

In fact, when he’s not walking his beats, Free is a private music teacher. But what instruments does he teach?

“I teach all of them and I play in three different orchestras when they need me and if I’m available.”

Aside from being a musical prodigy, Free primarily walks his beats around City Hall. And just like any PEO, he has to issue tickets — something he’d rather not do.

“There’s a stigma that PEOs are out to get you,” says Free. “But we’re not out there just to give tickets. We’re out there to educate, inform and if we need to, write a ticket.”

Just like all PEOs, Free is approachable while walking his beats.

“If you’re parking in the city and have a question, come on up and ask us. We don’t mind explaining what the signs mean and where you can or cannot park.”

When Free isn’t walking his beats or teaching the next Mozart, he prefers to just take it easy, just like the rest of us.

“My favorite TV show is the Simpsons, so I try to watch them or a movie whenever I can. I’ve also started playing League of Legends,” Free says. “In the long-run, it’s always nice just to relax and prepare for the day ahead.”

And prepare he must. The winter weather is upon us and Free along with all PEOs will be walking beats in freezing temperatures, which is why he’ll probably be looking forward to his lunch breaks to get a bit warmed up.

“Depending on the beat I’m walking, I’ll either to go Underdogs, Joe’s Pizza or Subway with other PEOs.”

So if you’re dining at Joe’s Pizza or Underdogs, don’t be surprised if you bump into Free and his fellow PEOs. In fact, it’d be a good time to ask them questions because remember: PEOs don’t just issue tickets, they also inform the public.

Posted on 29 Jan 2015
By PPA Staff
In Blog

#TBT : AutoPark at the Gallery

If you’ve ever visited Chinatown or have gone shopping at The Gallery, you’ve more than likely gotten a glimpse of our AutoPark at the Gallery Mall, which is the subject of this month’s #TBT!

Located at 44 North 9th Street, the AutoPark at the Gallery Mall houses 850 parking spaces and is only blocks away from Philly’s renowned Reading Terminal Market. Between Reading Terminal Market and Chinatown, you’re parking in a main hub for amazing Philly delicacies.

So after you’re done stuffing your faces, you can take the five minute stroll to the Convention Center or get shopping done at The Gallery. Either way — your car will be safe, sound and awaiting your return.

Let’s take a look into the past. The picture above is an artist’s sketch of the AutoPark at Gallery Mall from 1960. The garage itself was designed by architectural firm, Henry D. Dagit P. C. They clearly did a great job because it’s standing strong and will be for years to come!

Once again, Margery Sly, Director of the Special Collections Research Center at Temple University, is allowing us to share this gem of a picture.

Posted on 22 Jan 2015
By PPA Staff
In Blog

Signs Explained: Reserved Parking for Disabled Persons

Signs: they’re everywhere, both figuratively and literally. Sometimes if you don’t read those signs, consequences will ensue. When it comes to parking, reading and understanding a sign is the difference between getting a parking ticket and remaining ticketless.

The Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) would rather prevent parking tickets instead of issuing them. But when our Parking Enforcement Officers (PEOs) are walking their beats and come across an illegally parked vehicle, it’s their job to issue a ticket.

Since knowledge always leads to understanding, we’re continuing our “Signs Explained” blog series. Before getting a run-down on the sign pictured to the left, check out this video tutorial from our friends at VisitPhilly and check out our violations page on our new website!

Here’s the breakdown of the sign pictured:

At the top of the sign, the red arrow pointing to the left is a No Stopping Any Time regulation. If a vehicle parks, sits or even stages in a No Stopping Zone, the vehicle could be cited immediately. This means if you stop for just a second to unload groceries or even pick someone up, you could be immediately ticketed.

The green arrow, pointing to the right with its designated times and disabled person symbol, indicates the space is a reserved parking space only for those with a disabled person license plate or disabled person placard . The times indicates the longest amount of time a vehicle can pay and park there. In this case, a vehicle can park for one hour between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and three hours from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Sunday. Remember though — this spot is reserved for those with physical disabilities. If you park here and don’t have a disability placard or plate, you’ll receive a $301 fine.

So there’s another run-down on one of our signs. If you come across one that’s hard to understand, send us the picture on Twitter or Facebook and we’ll get you squared away.

Posted on 29 Dec 2014
By PPA Staff
In Blog

Temporarily Prohibit Parking While Moving

Moving is an exciting experience, but at the same time, it can be dreadful. Sure, it’s thrilling to move into a new environment, but lugging heavy furniture for hours on end isn’t one of life’s highlights. Combine that with the inevitable banging into walls, denting of furniture and of course, figuring out how the heck you’re going to arrange your furniture. But one thing that’s often overlooked while moving is — you guessed it — parking.

Nothing could put a bigger dent in your move than a lack of convenient parking, preferably in front of your new home. You could go on a wild-goose chase for a parking spot blocks away. Or you can temporarily prohibit parking in front of your home, making your move as seamless as possible.

So if you’re planning a move and need convenient parking, contact the Streets Department’s Right of Way Unit at least three business days (72 hours) before your move. Keep in mind: requests made less than three business days before moving will not be processed. There’s also a permit fee of $25 per 40 feet of space (40 feet equals two parking spaces). Requests for moving trucks can be submitted here.

Now you have one less thing to worry about during your move. If you have any questions, get in touch with us through Twitter or Facebook — we’ll move you in the right direction.

Posted on 26 Dec 2014
By PPA Staff
In Blog

AuthorPPA Staff