Pittsburgh City Council considering extending Smart Loading Zone program indefinitely
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Could we see a longer period of a purple pilot?
These curbs are aimed at making it easier for delivery drivers to find places to park. The pilot started in April 2022.
Now – the program could be extended indefinitely, but that hasn't come without some controversy.
The formal name for these is smart loading zones. The goal is to stop drivers from occupying spots in busy areas for long periods of time. Is it possible for a color to draw ire?
"Everything was fine until these stupid curbs – purple curbs," Mario Gigliotti, owner of Squirrel Hill Shoe Repair, said. "That's what everybody calls them."
The curbs try to discourage people from taking up much-needed spots. They have some business owners we spoke with frustrated.
"I got 1500 pounds of cheese coming off a truck, it's not gonna take a half hour," Giovanni Mineo, Jr., the owner of Mineo's Pizza House in Squirrel Hill, said. "It's gonna take some time."
On Fourth and Cherry Way – business owners we spoke off-camera this morning didn't mind.
The Central Business District is where the pilot program started. But in Squirrel Hill, business owners we spoke with are frustrated.
"It's a problem," Gigliotti said. "…they park – and they say, is someone gonna give me a ticket?"
There are multiple zones on Murray Ave.
The city did tweak the pricing scheme last year – the first 15 mins are free. Some say it's not helpful for everyone though.
"15 minutes isn't enough to come inside my business and order a pizza," Mineo said. "It takes 20 minutes… at least."
But even for quicker errands – like dropping off shoes, Gigliotti says it's confusing customers now.
"Run in, drop the shoes off, take off – it was no big deal," he said. "Now, they're not sure what to do."
Mineo just wants some more communication. He says he's met with the city before about this.
"If we have to have another meeting, I would love it," he said.
Across the street, Gigliotti's seen enough.
"I wish they would just stop it altogether," he said. "Paint 'em yellow again, instead of purple. It's a stupid color to start with."
The City Council is going to keep on discussing this. A final vote could come in the next few weeks.