Local

Parking lot closure causing frustrations in Brookline

BROOKLINE — A parking garage’s sudden closure in Brookline is causing a lot of frustration among residents, business owners and visitors.

“It’s very much a nightmare. It’s ridiculous and I’m so sick of it,” said Valerie Liadis.

Liadis lives in the Housing Authority’s Mazza Pavilion on busy Brookline Boulevard. She and several other residents have always parked in a public lot conveniently located right next-door.

But in early September, residents were informed that the lot would be closing for one week for maintenance work. But when crews apparently showed up, it was determined that the lot was in worse shape than anticipated.

“We brought in our structural engineer consultant to conduct an in-depth inspection of the parking deck and was informed that a majority percentage of the area was severely deteriorated and would need to be removed and replaced with new reinforcement and concrete materials, thus expanding the scope of repairs,” a Pittsburgh Parking Authority (PPA) spokesperson told us.

Now, it’s been months without folks being able to access the lot.

Liadis, who has MS and uses a wheelchair, said it’s very difficult to find accessible parking spots in the street. Once she finds one, she hesitates to leave.

“I haven’t moved, I won’t move my car, and I can’t go to places. So I’ve canceled appointments that I have to be at and I need to go to a lot of medical appointments,” she said.

Similarly, Channel 11 was contacted by another resident, Marilyn Sullivan, who said she has mobility issues and the parking lot closure has been causing her to isolate a lot at home.

“We’re basically on our own,” she said. “It’s a free for all. Parking is a premium here.”

Sullivan is among the residents who lease a spot in the garage for $60 a month. The PPA is allowing lease holders to park in metered spots without penalty, but Sullivan said that accommodation isn’t cutting it.

She often struggles to find metered spots, and loses the security of having her vehicle in a covered space. Sullivan said the issue is causing tension in the busy neighborhood, and she once had her vehicle keyed.

Business owners there on the main drag are also frustrated.

“It’s hard on business,” said Colleen Griffiths, owner of Hank’s Hotdogs.

“People pass by and they’ll say ‘well, I didn’t see any parking.’”

Folks hope the garage reopens soon.

The PPA spokesperson said the work is “necessary structural safety repair that unfortunately will take time to repair.” It’s anticipated that the garage will reopen in mid-December, according to PPA.

But with residents not seeing a lot of work taking place currently, many fear the repairs will take much longer than that.

“They told us that this was gonna be finished before the snow flies but the snow’s already flying,” Sullivan said.

“I have a lot of doubts,” Liadis told us. “I don’t think it’s gonna be open until next year.”