If the city leases parking garages to a private entity, a transition plan to help consumers adjust to rate increases and other changes is highly important, a panel told Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership today.

"If you mess up in the early months, you're going to pay for it for years," consultant David Feehan said in releasing the preliminary findings of a parking study for the Downtown business group.

Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl has proposed leasing 11 parking garages -- and possibly meters along streets and in lots -- with the hope of netting $200 million to sink into the city pension fund.

The partnership's parking study, facilitated by International Downtown Association, said using parking authority assets to help the pension fund has potential, provided safeguards are built in for parkers, community groups and other parties.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

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