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Williamsport Parking Authority has seen a drop in revenue due to the impact of COVID-19 on businesses downtown, officials there said.
At their first meeting of the year held by remote due to a surge in the virus, the authority discussed the under performance of the year and how to combat it going into the months ahead.
"We're struggling, as are all parking authorities, because we did not receive any federal coronavirus taxpayer money," said Dr. Anthony Cipolla, authority chairman at the meeting held by telephone and Zoom to protect individuals from a surge seen in viral cases across the city and region.
The impact on parking due to business closures, including restaurants shuttered for much of the year and continuing to be hit, lowered revenue normally received from parking meters, he said.
"We're not in any position to go bankrupt," Cipolla said. The authority remains in a strong enough financial position to continue to provide parking. It has surface lots and two parking garages, he said.
However, it has been hit hard by revenue losses from small businesses that have closed or gone remote, said David Kish, authority operations manager adding there's not going to be a reversal until the virus slows or is gone.
There was no discussion on any
proposed increase in rates for parking. However, the members said due to the financial straits they must defer some maintenance otherwise planned to get done this year due to the pandemic impact.
"We are going to have to defer maintenance," said Marc Schefsky, an authority board member.
An example of what the impact has done is a ramp access project at the authority headquarters at 270 W. Third St.
"We have a design specification and an estimate for the ramp but have not been able to move ahead on the project," he said. It would be a ramp to provide easy access into the building. Currently, whenever there is someone with a wheelchair or need to access it, the staff accommodates their needs, he said.
Until the pandemic slows and surges are reduced, the authority will be holding its regular monthly meetings by telephone, he said.
Cipolla said while the talk has been gloomy he is appreciative of businesses that continue to lease spaces and pay for monthly.
In preparation for snow storms, the authority will continue to plow the lots and remove snow in the Central Business District so people can park their cars and go about their business, Cipolla said.
To gain insight into what other parking authorities are doing to weather the storm, calls were placed to Altoona, Harrisburg, Wilkes-Barre and Scranton -- all of which have parking authorities that are facing the same conditions, Cipolla said.
When asked what they offered city authority officials, Cipolla said - "Not much," he said. "Until the federal government provides parking authorities some coronavirus relief, it's a matter of hanging in there."