Reading Parking Authority says it will resume writing citations for daytime parking restrictions this Monday, May 4, 2020, in support of the City of Reading street sweeping program.
“To maintain public health and safety, it is necessary for City street sweepers to resume normal operations” states the parking authority website. “Significant litter and debris has accumulated on the streets since Governor Tom Wolf issued a Stay-at-Home Order throughout the state. This accumulated trash washes into the combined sewer system, which can pollute local rivers and the Delaware Bay. The litter also attracts rodents and insects.”
All City residents are being asked to move their cars from the street during the posted daytime parking restriction hours so the sweepers can effectively remove all litter and debris.
In addition, the Reading School District has agreed to allow parking in their lots during street sweeping hours for the duration of Governor Wolf’s Stay-at-Home Order. This provides City residents with a convenient place to move their cars while street sweepers are operating in their neighborhoods.
“Reading Parking Authority appreciates the collaboration with community partners and the Reading School District,” said Frank Denbowski, Reading Parking Authority board president. “Allowing City residents to use their parking lots helps alleviate the parking shortage during street sweeper operations while the Stay-at-Home order is in effect.”
Anyone utilizing a school parking lot must follow the stipulations below:
- Parking is only accessible during street cleaning hours.
- No working on cars or overnight parking is permitted.
- Parking is at the vehicle owner’s risk and by agreeing to park at one of these locations the vehicle owner releases liability from the property owner and Reading Parking Authority.
Violations of the rules listed above will result in the issuance of parking citations and may result in the vehicle being towed.
RPA temporarily suspended enforcement as of March 18, 2020, in anticipation of an influx of cars on the street in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the City’s Public Works Department street sweepers remained in continuous operation, enforcement was eased to address City residents’ concerns regarding parking scarcity and additional economic hardship resulting from this unprecedented situation.
Residents were instead encouraged to voluntarily comply with daytime parking restrictions to facilitate the work of the street sweepers. Several weeks have passed since enforcement of daytime parking restrictions was suspended, and despite many residents’ best efforts, there has been a significant accumulation of litter on the streets.
Available School Lots
10th and Green Elementary
12th and Marion Elementary
13th and Green Elementary
13th and Union Elementary
16th and Haak Elementary
Glenside Elementary
Lauer’s Park Elementary
Northwest Area Elementary
Riverside Elementary
Tyson-Schoener Elementary
Northeast Middle School
Northwest Middle School
Southern Middle School
Southwest Middle School
Reading High School
RKAA-Glenside
RKAA-Thomas Ford
RKAA-City Line
Parking will not be allowed on the following school lots, the reasons include they are either gated garages or gated lots.
10th and Penn Elementary
Amanda Stout Elementary
Millmont Elementary
Central Middle School
Administration Building
ROCC Building
Facilities Center
ESL Welcome Center
