Borough secures contractor for Ann Street structure after years of deterioration left holes you can see through

STROUDSBURG, PA — For years, drivers navigating the parking garage on Hood Alley in downtown Stroudsburg have learned to slow down and watch their step. Potholes pockmark the concrete. Exposed rebar juts from the surface, threatening tires and ankles alike. In some spots, the decay is so severe you can see daylight through the upper deck.

Now, the borough is finally moving forward with a comprehensive rehabilitation project expected to cost $1.2 million — work that officials say should be completed by late 2026.

“We’ve had issues over the years with our parking garage; the joints between the large concrete slabs — they have been deteriorating,” said Larry Kopp, Stroudsburg Borough Manager. The borough solicited bids through PennBid this fall for the Ann Street Parking Garage rehabilitation, with proposals due in late October.

The project comes after mounting complaints from downtown visitors and permit holders who’ve watched the structure decline for years.

“I definitely have to drive slow to the parking lot because there are potholes everywhere, and I have definitely tripped over the rebar sticking out of the holes, so it’s not the best,” said Jamil Saigh of Bushkill in a recent interview with WNEP.

For Justine Almodovar of East Stroudsburg, the condition feels like a broken promise to those who pay for the privilege of parking there.

“It’s not fair if people are paying for permits to come here, and we all have to pay here anyway,” she said. “Even if you don’t have a permit, there shouldn’t be any holes at all.”

More Than Surface Damage

What distinguishes the Ann Street garage’s problems from typical wear and tear is the structural nature of the deterioration. The joints between the massive concrete slabs that form the parking decks have failed over time, allowing water infiltration that accelerates the breakdown of the reinforced concrete.

“Some holes go all the way through. It’s not just a pothole; you can see down through it,” Almodovar said.

Thomas Almodovar, also of East Stroudsburg, acknowledged that road surfaces wear out over time but said the current state crosses a line.

“Roads get worn out all the time. That’s understandable,” he said. “But when you have pieces of metal sticking out that could take out a tire or something, that is unacceptable.”

The exposed rebar — the steel reinforcement bars embedded in concrete to provide tensile strength — becomes a hazard once the surrounding concrete crumbles away. For vehicles, it risks punctured tires and undercarriage damage. For pedestrians, it creates a tripping hazard, particularly at night or in poor weather.

Funding the Fix

The borough has been working to assemble the financing needed for the rehabilitation. According to Kopp, Stroudsburg has approximately $750,000 on hand for the project and is pursuing an additional $500,000 in grant funding over the winter months.

“We actually have 750k on hand, so we are trying to get the additional 500k in grants over the winter,” Kopp said. “The plan is to do the work next year, so hopefully, by this time next year, it will be repaired.”

The rehabilitation is expected to address the failing expansion joints between concrete sections, repair or replace damaged concrete slabs, and restore the structural integrity of the multi-level garage. Detailed project specifications were included in the borough’s October bid solicitation.

Downtown Parking Already at a Premium

The timing of the repairs will require careful planning, given how central the Ann Street garage is to downtown Stroudsburg’s parking infrastructure.

The borough operates several municipal parking lots and maintains over 500 metered spaces throughout the downtown core. Meters are enforced Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with core area rates at $1.00 per hour and a three-hour limit.

The Ann Street garage serves both permit holders — who pay quarterly rates ranging from $90 to $190 — and hourly visitors. Losing access to those spaces during construction could strain an already tight parking situation, particularly during popular downtown events like StroudFest and WinterFest.

Borough officials have not yet announced how parking will be managed during the rehabilitation work, though construction is not expected to begin until weather permits in 2026.

Not the Only Parking Project in Monroe County

Stroudsburg’s garage rehabilitation comes as Monroe County has also been investing in parking infrastructure.

Earlier this year, the county awarded a $76,735 contract to Northeast Site Contractors of East Stroudsburg to pave the parking lot on Sixth Street adjacent to the county parking deck. That work followed a separate $513,090 contract awarded in July 2024 to South Shore Construction for repairs and maintenance of the county’s “Helix” parking garage, which Commissioner John Christy said was in need of immediate attention.

The parallel projects underscore the aging infrastructure challenges facing both the borough and county as structures built decades ago reach the end of their useful lives without major intervention.

What Happens Next

With bids now in hand, the borough is expected to finalize contractor selection and grant applications over the coming months. If the additional $500,000 in funding materializes as planned, construction could begin in spring or early summer 2026.

For now, drivers using the Ann Street garage are advised to proceed slowly and watch for hazards. Pedestrians should exercise caution on the upper deck, particularly in areas where the concrete surface has failed.

The Stroudsburg Borough Parking Office, located on the second floor of the Municipal Building at Sarah and North Seventh Streets, can provide information about quarterly permits and alternative parking options. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and can be reached at 570-424-7008.

Stroudsburg Downtown Parking Quick Facts

• Meter Hours: Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Core Area Rate: $1.00/hour, 3-hour limit
• Other Meters: $0.50/hour
• Quarterly Permits: $90 to $190 depending on lot
• Payment Options: Quarters at meters, credit/debit at Lots #2 and #3 pay stations, or mPay2Park app
• Sundays & Holidays: Free metered parking; other regulations enforced