EASTON, Pa. – Drivers looking to park in downtown Easton will have to pay more at several of the city’s meters, lots and garages.
During its Wednesday night meeting, Easton City Council approved amendments to the city’s ordinance that outlines various parking garage and meter fees.
The changes involve increases to parking meters in several quadrants. The cost to park at Centre Square meters went up from $2 to $3 per hour, with a two-hour limit.
Parking meters on the unit blocks of Centre Square — which involve the first block on North Third Street, South Third Street, East Northampton Street and West Northampton Street — increased likewise from $2 to $3 per hour, with a three-hour limit.
The Northampton Street lot increased from $2 to $3 per hour, with a 10-hour limit, while the first floor of the North Fourth Street parking lot went up from $2 to $2.50 per hour, with a two-hour limit. Finally, all others increased from $1.50 per hour to $2.75 per hour, with a three-hour limit, unless noted otherwise.
Parking fees at garages also have changed. The South Third Street and North Fourth Street garages now cost $2.50 per hour at all times. This is altered from the $2 rate between 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. at South Third, and the $3 rate between 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. at North Fourth.
The after-hour rate for all garages between 4 p.m. and 5 a.m. at 50 cents was deleted as a result of the amendment.
The changes in parking rates went into effect on New Year’s Day. Wednesday’s amendments aligned the city’s fees ordinance with the costs that were approved in the 2026 budget.
Metered parking spaces
WFMZ-TV | Jenny McCain
In a separate measure, City Council introduced an ordinance amending the traffic control map.
This amendment would add three, 30-minute metered spaces between the Circle and Pine Street on the east side of Third Street for a two-year period starting in May. The 30-minute spaces will be enforced between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Mondays through Fridays.
In addition, the two 15-minute metered spaces in front of city hall will be removed to create a regular metered space.
McDonald’s reconstruction
City Council approved a developer’s agreement with the McDonald’s USA corporation.
The deal involves the reconstruction of an existing McDonald’s located at 300 Larry Holmes Drive. The redevelopment includes a new building, drive-thru, parking lane and configuration, closure of the driveway leading in from the Third Street Bridge, along with other utility work and site amenities.
“I believe it is going to be a more historic McDonald’s,” said Councilwoman Julie Zando-Dennis.
The value of the site improvements is just under $314,000.
Obelisk monument
City Council supported a resolution denying a certificate of appropriateness to install a obelisk.
The monument was proposed for 390 Larry Holmes Drive and consists of a 15-foot, six-ton APO Obelisk Centennial Monument. The monument was to be placed east of the Larry Holmes monument and about 20 to 30feet from the Harry Seip memorial.
The obelisk commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity, which was established at Lafayette College. Alpha Phi Omega’s founder Frank Reed Horton earned a bachelor of arts degree and a master of arts degree from the school, respectively in 1926 and 1938.
The denial was based on the recommendation of the Easton Historic District Commission, which said the scale and massing were inappropriate for the park.