3 Questions with PPA Executive Director Rich Lazer

It’s no secret that Philadelphians are not big fans of the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA). But the PPA has a new-ish executive director, Rich Lazer, who's trying to improve its image by focusing on quality-of-life issues. Lazer recently spoke with City Cast Philly about what the authority has been doing since he took over a year ago.

What are some new PPA initiatives you're most proud of?

I think the biggest stuff is really the neighborhood enforcement work that we've been doing – going out, removing abandoned cars, helping with busted-up vehicles that are plaguing some of our city streets.

People like the new bike lane enforcement, too.

When I got here, we rolled it out. It's really to make sure bike lanes are open and accessible and safe for people to travel. And that's why I'd like to continue to grow that unit. We have 10 officers now, with the inclusion of the supervisor. I'd like to get that number up to 20 so that we can have folks constantly roving our neighborhoods, because bike lanes are going to continue to grow. It's not really about the ticket at the end of the day. It's about knowing that there will be enforcement, and it's to change behavior.

A listener sent us a voice message saying it's challenging to move around on the sidewalks in a wheelchair because drivers park on sidewalks. Will the PPA be handing out tickets for sidewalk parking?

We definitely do that now in areas where we see a large concentration of [sidewalk parking]. So whoever put that in, please reach out to [email protected] to report where that's happening. One thing we're working on internally is real public service messaging and enhanced enforcement on those issues of sidewalk parking and blocking of handicap accessible ramps or disabled ramps on the corners. In the spring, I’m hoping we can roll something out on that.

This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.