The Bethlehem Parking Authority began a free parking program in the North and New Street garages in March to help alleviate any potential pressures to the residential parking system due to the COVID-19 stay at home orders. Because of very limited use of these garages, the Bethlehem Parking Authority will end the free parking program May 4. “It showed us that our residential parking permit system works. We saw very limited pressures to the system where residents needed to use the North and New Street garages as overflow parking during this time of stay at home orders”, said Interim Executive Director Steven Fernstrom. Vehicles will have 24 hours from 8 a.m. May 4, 2020 to exit or be charged for the full duration of their stay.

To ease any additional burdens from the crisis, the Bethlehem Parking Authority had also ceased all parking enforcement practices except for enforcing safety-related violations throughout the city. As activities in the state begin to return, the Bethlehem Parking Authority will be starting a phased roll out of enforcement practices beginning May 4 with parking meter, residential parking permit and street sweeping enforcement. Residents and visitors should be mindful of street sweeping restriction signage to avoid being in violation. “We’d prefer a phased roll out of the enforcement of city parking ordinances early so we can reeducate the public. We’ll begin with courtesy warnings before we start ticketing, we feel this is a fairer approach”, Fernstrom added.

As Bethlehem businesses shifted to a takeout and pick up model, the Bethlehem Parking Authority began a Free 15 Minute Parking Space Pick Up program at parking metered spaces throughout the city. “We’ve received a lot of great feedback from this program, as we begin to enforce the metered spaces, we feel it’s important to not only keep this program running, but to increase the number of bagged meters for businesses”, said Fernstrom. Any businesses that are interested in learning more about the Free 15 Minute Parking program, are encouraged to contact the Bethlehem Parking Authority by phone at 610-865-7123 or email, info@bethpark.org, for more information.

The Bethlehem Parking Authority is also announcing a promotion for new monthly account passholders beginning June 1. The promotion will offer three months of discounted parking rates for June, July and August for parking garage and lot monthly passes. Certain restrictions will apply, please see the Bethlehem Parking Authority website, www.bethpark.org, for additional information.

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