Parking in downtown Lansdale is once again a hot topic, writes Dan Sokil for The Reporter.
A familiar question resurfaces: How can the borough balance parking for visitors while also accommodating employees working in the area?
“This has been around forever. It’s kind of a chicken or egg type of situation,” said Police Chief Mike Trail. “We don’t have a solution, but we’ve discussed it multiple times.”
Discussions date back to 2010, when a parking study revealed nearly 4,000 spaces in downtown and Pennbrook Parkway, with only half used during peak hours. Since then, changes like adjusted pricing, wayfinding signs, digital kiosks, and an app-based payment system have been implemented to improve turnover.
The latest debate was sparked by resident Elizabeth, who works on Main Street and pointed out that employees now struggle to find affordable parking without getting ticketed. She suggested options like parking passes or designated free spaces for workers.
Trail acknowledged the challenge but emphasized the need to keep prime parking spots available for customers. Councilman Andrew Carroll suggested better publicizing the SEPTA garage, noting it had ample space even during the Super Bowl parade rush.
Officials are considering solutions, including discussions with SEPTA for potential permits. The conversation continues at upcoming borough and parking authority meetings.
Read more about Lansdale’s worsening parking issues in The Reporter.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on MONTCO Today in March 2025.
