Sewickley Parking Authority offers free parking on upcoming holidays

The Sewickley Parking Authority will suspend parking fees in the borough for upcoming holiday weekends.

The board unanimously passed the offering of free parking Memorial Day weekend. The suspension will be in effect from 1 p.m. May 28 through May 31, with regular parking fees resuming Tuesday.

The board also extended free parking throughout the borough from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 3, the day before Easter.

The votes followed last month’s meeting, where board members suspended parking fees for Independence Day weekend, which falls July 3-5 this year.

In other news, the authority extended outdoor dining accommodations through Dec. 31. The accommodations allow restaurants to dedicate spaces for carry out and outdoor dining while waiving the customary fees.

The authority is also considering the creation of a handicapped parking space near the intersection of Beaver and Logan streets.

Cynthia Mullins, chairwoman of the board, said different organizations such as a funeral home, church and dentist office have expressed interest in the handicap spot.

“I walked by it today and there are a couple spaces on Logan (street) that would be appropriate,” she said. “I think the closer to the pay station would be great.”

She said she would seek guidance from the borough’s public works department on the spot’s final placement.

Mullins also spoke in favor of eventually working with the parking authority’s bank to set up automatic payments for customers with leased parking spaces through Paypal or other online banking programs.

The parking authority meets every third Wednesday of the month. The next meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on April 21.