A local organization wants to do away with some parking fees as a way to bring business downtown.
John Valentine, executive director of the Pittsburgh Downtown Neighborhood Alliance says the idea stems from a recent survey asking people what keeps them from coming downtown.
They found in the survey the cost of parking was the number 2 reason why people avoided coming downtown.
They're still hashing out the details, but the organization wants to eliminate parking fees for shoppers and diners downtown.
The organization, businesses and garages would split the cost, "So if we can draw more traffic and more people, and businesses attract more customers, they're going to be for it and that's the feedback we've gotten so far," explained Valentine.
Though the plan is in its early stages, Valentine says they're considering time constraints or giving the discount to those spending a certain amount at shops or restaurants.
"I'm keeping an open mind and listen to feedback form the experts in parking, but we are committed to making something work," says Valentine
He says as it stands now his organization, businesses and parking garages would split the cost.
