The parking situation in front of Mia DeMeo’s used clothing and accessory store in Squirrel Hill is causing some problems.
Ms. DeMeo, owner of A Child’s Wardrobe and Adults Too!, has a space marked for scooter and bike parking on the corner in front of her store. But there’s also magenta paint on her curb, accompanied by a smart loading zone street sign. It takes up about two car lengths — which, including the scooter and bike parking, costs her what she estimates to be what used to be three parking spaces.
That’s valuable real estate for a small business like hers, Ms. DeMeo said. And it makes unloading and loading clothes and other items a pain, as she has to park around the corner, she said.
“It’s the most awful thing in the world,” Ms. DeMeo said inside her shop Wednesday.
The magenta curb paint is not only in front of her shop. It’s also painted in front of other businesses on Murray Avenue, and throughout the city — including on the North Shore, in Downtown and in Oakland — with dozens of spots planned in total. The paint is part of the city’s Smart Loading Zones program that is designed to allow the quick loading and unloading of supplies for businesses citywide, while creating a revenue source for Pittsburgh, according to city officials.
Each smart loading zone requires those that park there to scan a sign or text the number to pay for parking in that location. A $100,000 grant by Automotus, a company that specializes in managing traffic in cities, including commercial traffic, has allowed Pittsburgh to become a pilot city for the program.
Drivers in the zone pay an escalating price depending on how long they’re there: 7 cents a minute for the first five minutes, 14 cents a minute from five to 15 minutes, 20 cents a minute from 15 to 30 minutes and 27 cents a minute from 30 to 60 minutes. They’ll receive a bill, and potentially a ticket in the mail, if they don’t register to pay. Cameras are installed at each space to monitor who uses them.
Olga George, a spokesperson for Mayor Ed Gainey, declined to comment about the curbs in Squirrel Hill.
Ms. DeMeo isn’t the only Squirrel Hill business owner frustrated about the curbs. John Mineo, owner of Mineo’s Pizza House on Murray Avenue, said his delivery drivers, who supply the restaurant with cheese, pepperoni and canned goods, have noticed the impact of the zones since they’re being charged now to park in front of his restaurant. There used to be a free loading zone for them to do so, he said.
The smart loading zones are just another obstacle for small businesses, many of which struggled to survive during the pandemic, Mr. Mineo said.
“Now you’re going to punish the people who made it through,” Mr. Mineo said. “Obviously, a lot of people who are in [government], council people, don’t do what I do every day … why would you punish us and charge my customer to pick up a pizza, why would you punish us and my purveyor who delivers my cheese, pepperoni and canned goods?”
Other business owners along Murray Avenue, who have businesses near or behind the magenta paint, shared Mr. Mineo’s concerns. They said the smart loading zones are going to cost their businesses money, when they already contribute to the vitality of the neighborhood, and pay money to the government through sales and property taxes.
Some of the business owners on Murray Avenue, such as Victor Barboza of Coriander India Grill, and Saul Markovic of Murray Avenue Kosher, said that time is needed to unload and load vehicles, and to allow delivery vehicles to deliver food and other supplies. The new loading zone pricing will impact delivery companies, and is another example of how small businesses are being hurt by the city, they said.
Many business owners said they weren’t notified by city officials until the paint was already being applied. It’s going to be a nuisance for customers, they said.
“I just don’t see any reason for it,” said Mario Gigliotti, Sr., who owns Squirrel Hill Shoe Repair on Murray Avenue. “Parking is so hard to come by on Murray Avenue. Why would you want to make it worse for people?”
Papelón Venezuelan Arepa Bar co-owner Armando Gonzalez was one exception. Mr. Gonzalez, who used to be a delivery driver in the city, said he understands the need for the smart loading zone program. He’s not too concerned, but he could see the magenta paint deterring some people from parking in front of his take-out restaurant on Murray Avenue, near the Giant Eagle supermarket.
For Ms. DeMeo and others, the new loading zones have been a headache since they have been implemented. She said she called the city’s 311 line about a week ago, but hasn’t heard back. Business was starting to return to normal levels in recent months, but she’s had less than half the customers in her store since the paint was applied, she said.
“I don’t know what they’re trying to do ... are they trying to take our business away?” Ms. DeMeo said.
First Published: July 28, 2023, 9:30 a.m.
Updated: July 29, 2023, 7:48 p.m.
