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Downtown bar owner calls high event parking rates an "invisible tax" that deters customers
Summary
A downtown business owner told council that high and variable parking rates — sometimes $60 for events — are hurting small businesses and employees, and urged the city to study weekend or limited free parking programs used elsewhere.
Dale Vaughn, owner of Space Bar in Market Square, told council during public comment that steep and inconsistent downtown parking charges are an "invisible tax" that keeps customers and employees away and undermines small businesses investing in the central business district.
Vaughn said his general manager paid roughly $5,000 in parking fees last year and that event parking frequently spikes to $60, which can dissuade visitors: "Sometimes people spend $200, $300 at our bar. They'll come downtown, see those parking rates and turn around." He said the business is 18 months old, had not yet broken even and that high parking bills for staff add a heavy operating cost.
Vaughn told council he had spoken with the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and the Office of Nighttime Economy and suggested the council consider programs similar to Raleigh, N.C., which has offered limited free weekend parking and two‑hour free weekday lots to boost nighttime economy activity.
He asked the council to consider creating a program to ease the burden and said he was willing to continue the conversation with staff and council members. The transcript records his comments but does not show an immediate council response or formal referral during the session.
