Philadelphia Parking Authority
The Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) is an agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that manages many parking operations for Philadelphia.[2] The PPA was created by the Philadelphia City Council on January 11, 1950 for the purpose of conducting research for management of off-street parking and to establish a permanent, coordinated system of parking facilities in the city.[3][4] Since then, the PPA's scope has expanded to include parking operations at the Philadelphia International Airport, most street-parking policy enforcement, and regulation and enforcement of taxicabs and limousines.[3]
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1950 |
| Jurisdiction | City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Headquarters | 701 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19106[1] |
| Agency executives |
|
| Website | http://www.philapark.org |
The Parking Authority:
- Generates needed revenue for the city
- Coordinates the parking efforts of public agencies
- Builds and operates public parking facilities
- Does planning and analysis of parking requirements
to provide full parking services for Philadelphia residents, businesses and visitors.[4]
In popular culture it is the basis of the reality television show Parking Wars.
Policies
Off-street parking
Originally, the Parking Authority provided parking garages and parking lots, but various city departments were responsible for on-street parking.
On-street parking
In 1982, Philadelphia City Council was authorized by the Pennsylvania General Assembly to delegate certain powers formerly exercised by various city departments to the Parking Authority. In April, 1983, City Council transferred on-street parking responsibilities to the Authority.[4]
Functions transferred from the Streets Department:
- Location, installation and maintenance of all parking meters throughout the city
- Preparation of documentation to modify existing or implement new parking regulations, establishing time limits, loading zones, fire hydrant restrictions, reserved parking for people with disabilities, tow-away zones and residential permit parking
- Preparation of work orders for parking regulations signs
Functions transferred from the Revenue Department:
- Meter Collections
Functions transferred from the Police Department:
- Issuance and processing of parking tickets
- Towing of motor vehicles
- Impoundment of motor vehicles
However, both Police Department officers and SEPTA supervisors can issue parking tickets.
Functions transferred from the Department of Licenses and Inspections:
- Issuance of Loading Zone Permits
- Administration of the Residential Parking Permit Program
A vast majority of revenue for On-Street parking for PPA is generated from ticketing violations (63%) and meter parking (29%). Other revenue categories comprise less than 9% of PPA's On-Street parking income.[5]
Booting
A program to "boot" repeat parking violation offenders was authorized by City Council in 1983.[4]
Taxicabs and limousines
The Authority was authorized by the General Assembly in July 2004 to regulate taxis and limousines operating in the city, and to adopt and enforce regulations for their operations.[4]
Pilot red light safety program
The Authority has been authorized by the General Assembly to administer a pilot red light enforcement program.[4] Cameras are installed at intersections with a high accident rate, and fines are imposed for motorists who run red lights. Notices are sent by mail to offenders, based on photos of license plates and the motorists themselves.[6]
Staff
PPA Executive Staff
- Executive Director - Scott Petri
- Deputy Executive Director – Richard Dickson
- Deputy Executive Director – Corinne O'Connor
- Board Chairman - Joseph T. Ashdale
Board Members
Originally, the Authority's Board of Directors was controlled by city officials, but the legislature, acting at the initiative of Representative John Perzel,[7] has shifted control to state officials, including the Governor and officers of the legislature.[8]
- Joseph T. Ashdale, Chairman
- Al Schmidt
- Alfred W. Taubenberger
- Russel Wagner, CPA
- Karen W. Wrigley, OD
Finances
| Year | Assets | Liabilities | Net Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | $348,552,000.00 | $236,017,000.00 | $112,535,000.00[9] |
| 2013 | $358,504,000.00 | $246,896,000.00 | $110,260,000.00 |
| 2012 | $367,825,000.00 | $263,113,000.00 | $104,712,000.00[10] |
| 2011 | $379,346,000.00 | $281,646,000.00 | $97,700,000.00 |
| 2010 | $376,351,000.00 | $282,787,000.00 | $93,564,000.00[11] |
| 2009 | $379,974,000.00 | $296,739,000.00 | $83,235,000.00 |
See also
- Parking Wars – A&E television series featuring the PPA
References
- "Philadelphia Parking Authority - Fact Sheet". Archived from the original on 2012-01-26. Retrieved 2011-10-12.
Headquarters Located: 3101 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- "CITY OF PHILADELPHIA v. RENDELL". Retrieved 2019-08-18.
- "Performance Audit Report Philadelphia Parking Authority Employment Policies and Procedures" (PDF). Retrieved 2019-08-18.
- "Philadelphia Parking Authority - History". Archived from the original on 2012-01-26. Retrieved 2011-10-12.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-12-10. Retrieved 2014-12-04.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Philadelphia Parking Authority - Redlights". Archived from the original on 2011-10-07. Retrieved 2011-10-13.
- "The PA Report "Power 75" List" (PDF). Pennsylvania Report. Capital Growth, Inc. January 31, 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-09-20.
With the possible exception of the late Jim Manderino, Pennsylvania has not had, in recent years, a legislative leader with the power of this Philadelphian.
- PPA Team Members, The Philadelphia Parking Authority
- 2012 Financial Statement
- 2010 Financial Statement