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Williamsport Parking Authority sees more commerce downtown

The Williamsport Parking Authority shared recently that it’s seeing more people parking downtown as the nation takes to the streets again amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Signs of hope are seen as the weather turns crisp and the holiday shopping season begins in force, according to Dr. Anthony Cipolla, authority chairman.

After several months being unable to meet and discuss authority business, members recently talked about some of its goals and financial plans after a year of stagnant activity due to the virus.

As for finances, the authority is operating on a $1 million annual budget and it is under budget at this time.

As for paying for maintenance, operations and expenses, the authority is using a single financing package rolling its debt payments into a $4 million bond with Woodlands Bank.

The authority is able to pay the interest on the bond, Cipolla said.

“Woodlands Bank was willing to work with us,” he said.

The authority also is looking out for its employees by choosing a retirement plan, he said.

It enables the employees to contribute a percentage of their salaries and the authority to contribute a percentage to the retirements, he said.

The cost for the authority is about $10,000 a year, said Jared Kinley, authority member. Kinley and Tony Nardi, board member, voted in favor of the plan.

A recent inspection of the Third Street garage, which is 25 years old this year, indicated a structurally sound and operational facility.

It will need to be maintained just as would a house or car.

“We can stretch those routine maintenance issues over five to 10 years,” Cipolla said.

Todd Wright, of River Valley Transit, said the maintenance can also be looked at from an in-house perspective. It can be done as much as possible by city employees rather than contracted out, he said.

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