Pittsburgh privatizes towing, pound moving to Mt. Washington

Pittsburgh's city tow pound will soon have a new home.

Beginning Dec. 28, tow truck operator McGann & Chester LLC will take illegally parked vehicles to an 8-acre site in Mt. Washington near the south end of the Liberty Tunnels at 700 Hargrove St.

In April, city officials authorized a plan to privatize the city's towing operations to save money and beautify the eastern shore of the Allegheny River, the current home of the city's 1.5-acre Strip District tow pound on 31st Street.

Vehicles in the Strip District tow pound will remain there until Jan. 31. After that, they will be moved to the Mt. Washington site. There are about 200 cars in the city's pound.

John Warren, executive assistant to police Chief Nate Harper, said McGann & Chester will operate the tow pound 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That will make it easier for vehicle owners to pick up their cars. The Strip District tow pound is closed Sundays.

McGann & Chester, the city's exclusive towing operator, will receive compensation from towing fees, Warren said. The city is not paying for the service from its general fund.

Rates will remain roughly the same, Warren said. McGann & Chester will charge car owners $110 for each tow and an $18-per-day storage fee. Heavy trucks cost more depending on weight. They do not include any fines police might levy.