On December 17th, William R. Breetz succeeded Patricia “Paddi” LeShane as Chairperson of the Hartford Parking Authority’s Board of Commissioners.
HARTFORD – December 18, 2015 – The Board of Commissioners of the Hartford Parking Authority (HPA) has elected William R. “Bill” Breetz to serve as Chairperson effective December 17, 2015, succeeding Patricia “Paddi” LeShane. Breetz, Attorney of Counsel to the Connecticut Urban Legal Initiative, Inc., has served on the HPA Board for seven years, including his current term that began in December 2013. LeShane, Managing Partner of Sullivan & LeShane, Inc. and Sullivan & LeShane Public Relations, is concluding a five-year term as HPA Chairperson and has served on the Board of Commissioners for 11 years.
HPA is responsible for installation and maintenance of the 375 single-space meters and 258 multi-space, pay-and-display kiosks that regulate more than 1,800 on-street parking spaces throughout the City of Hartford. It was created in December 1998 by a City Council ordinance that amended the Hartford Municipal Code. HPA is governed by five commissioners, who are appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Hartford Court of Common Council.
According to the HPA Bylaws, LeShane will continue as a commissioner until a successor is approved by the City Council.
LeShane commented, “It’s been an honor and pleasure to serve on the HPA but it’s time for new leadership for the future. Bill is the perfect individual to pick up the mantle. After serving as Treasurer for six years, it was a great opportunity to serve as Chair and help Hartford improve the way residents and visitors enjoy the cultural, entertainment and employment opportunities found in our City.”
Working closely with City residents, employers and businesses, HPA has developed a customer-focused parking program, including a more efficient courthouse area on-street parking system, a residential parking permit program, and several successful on-street parking promotions in collaboration with the restaurant community. Innovative amnesty programs have worked successfully to reduce the balance of outstanding parking citations and raise significant revenue for the City. Major redevelopment efforts in the capital city have also had key HPA involvement, including the upgrading and management of surface lots near the SoDo/Front Street and DoNo/Yard Goats baseball stadium projects that are rapidly taking place.
“I am grateful to Paddi for her leadership of the HPA Board and her dedication to make Hartford a great place to live work and play” said Mayor Pedro E. Segarra. “HPA has continuously and effectively supported parking as a key driver to enhance the quality of living, working and visiting the City of Hartford,” Segarra added.
About the Hartford Parking Authority
The Hartford Parking Authority (HPA) meets the needs of parkers Citywide by consistently providing convenient and affordable parking, and strives to be a leader by incorporating parking industry best practices and actively partnering with the City of Hartford in promoting economic and community development. The HPA oversees metered and regulated parking spaces on Hartford streets, as well as operates and maintains the City-owned MAT Garage, Sheldon Street Lot and DoNo Surface Lots. For more information, contact the Hartford Parking Authority at 860.527.7275 or visit www.hartfordparking.com.
