ZELIENOPLE — Recent issues have delayed completion of the new municipal parking lot.

Borough council discussed problems with the drainage system that runs under the parking lot on the corner of South Clay and West New Castle Streets, which will have more than 100 spaces.

“When we tested it (system) and dumped water down there, for some reason that water is not getting into the main stormwater system,” said Don Pepe, borough manager.

The borough tested the piping system’s drainage, but only after the brickwork was laid.

“We don’t know where the water is going,” Pepe said. “It appears not to be going in anybody’s basements, but the problem is we want to know if the system put in is working and at the present time, it’s not.”

Another issue is that Clarion-based Terra Works, the paving company working on the project, has not responded to the borough’s complaints regarding the drainage issue.

Pepe said all monies will be withheld from the company until it responds to the borough’s request.

Pepe said the lot is projected to be open by spring at the latest, however, it could open earlier.

The parking lot is one of the projects for the borough’s Main Street revitalization.

Along with the parking spaces, the lot will have walkways, an underground heating system to melt snow and ice and entrances to Main Street.

The lot also will have free three-hour parking for users.

Nearby hotel and apartment residents will get parking permits.