The end of free parking in the Junction has arrived; $2-$3 hourly rate coming Jan 15
The end of free parking in the Junction has arrived; $2-$3 hourly rate coming Jan 15
Get ready to start paying to park in the West Seattle Junction. The free parking has been a feature of the junction for the past 60 years or longer but higher land values and the taxes that go with them finally reached the point where they could not sustain the free parking any longer.
Photo by Patrick Robinson
Mon, 01/04/2021
information from the West Seattle Junction Association
For over 30 years the West Seattle Junction merchants have paid for the ‘free’ parking lots in the heart of West Seattle. A benefit that has been shared with the community, will be turning a new chapter in the parking lot book in 2021.
“We live in a world where the definition of transportation has changed since the 1970’s. People have the power to get around West Seattle in different ways.” Says Lora Radford, West Seattle Junction Executive Director.
In partnership with Diamond Parking, who has been working with the Junction since 1997, the merchant-funded parking spaces will be upgraded to pay parking on January 15th, 2021. The change comes at a time where the Junction has been shouldering the full cost of rapidly increasing taxes that has become unsustainable. 100% of the Junction’s portion of the revenue from the paid parking will be applied to the tax burden, lessening the amount due but by no means paying for the entire obligation.
The idea of maintaining free parking in an urban village like the Junction (the last in the City of Seattle), is no surprise for the residents. In early 2019 the Junction conducted a community survey (through a grant), that underscored the sentiment free parking was an anomaly in a rapidly growing city.
Especially in this time, the Junction has asked the community to include the support of small business in their daily lives. The request for West Seattleites to pay modest $2 to $3 per hour (the cost of a greeting card, cup of coffee or craft beer) to preserve the economic vibrancy of their downtown should be a simple request.
“For many, experiencing the downtown of West Seattle will become easier”. Continues Radford. “The ability to find parking each time you visit the Junction will increase dramatically with the movement into paid parking. Gone will be the days of cars parked in the lots for hours at a time”.
The experiences of West Seattleites are a true reflection of who they are and what they care about, and visiting the Junction is one of the most vivid examples of normalcy in a far-from-normal world. For some, a trip to the West Seattle Junction is, in itself, the only and best destination. People can feel the heartbeat of some of the best small businesses through a perfectly scooped ice cream, to the bite of a tangy piece of pizza, or through quirky items found at local independent shops. They can reflect on collections of cultural significance through the murals or take a stroll under the flower baskets heavy with summer blooms.
Luckily for them, the Junction can continue to offer an avenue to attract those uniquely Northwest experiences in West Seattle.
The Junction strongly believes in the continued community benefit provided the West Seattle residents. We believe the West Seattle Junction is the core of West Seattle where neighbors come together to meet which promotes community openness and sense of place. The wellbeing of West Seattle will continue through the ease of parking close to the very heart of our community through a new and modern version of history.
West Seattle is represented as a whole by the West Seattle Junction Association (WSJA), a non-profit 501(c)(3). The mission of the WSJA is to develop, encourage, promote and participate in activities that enhance a healthy economic, social and physical environment for the West Seattle Junction community and those who visit. Junction businesses, from specialty shops to small retail chains, are supported broadly in their outreach efforts to attract shoppers for recreational, dining and retail needs. Community members also benefit from WSJA programs that promote safety and maintenance of the area, beautification, engagement opportunities and public events.
Comments
You might think that west…
You might think that west Seattle is wealthy and anyone can pay parking, i live here and that’s not the truth, I think any expense should be in halt until everything gets back to normal, who voted on this? The people who own houses and not have any problem of parking? Because the people who really matter and is gonna pay for this is the ones that work really hard and could not opinion and on This because they were working. I say stop any expense towards general públic until everything gets back to normal!!!
What about the elderly and…
What about the elderly and disabled who cannot carry groceries or use public transportation? These people are on fixed incomes and with the price of housing, car tabs, etc! The 20 dollars I spend at West 5 and Husky will increase 20%! I love the shuttle and the water taxi but can’t carry things on them! Hang in there Junction merchants! We will do what we can!
Not sure what coffee or…
Not sure what coffee or craft beers you are drinking but def not 2-3 dollars more like 5-6. Also, the positive spin put on paying for parking is pretty ridiculous.
I've been supporting the…
I've been supporting the junction, but this makes it much less of an affordable or viable option for a shopping or hangout destination.
Why doesn’t the city…
Why doesn’t the city subsidies parking in West Seattle seeing as they’ve done quite well with construction permits and development which have added to congestion and parking issues which should have been addressed before making the problem worse. The city collected fees and approved many construction projects which, predictably, would adversely impacted the areas infrastructure with no foreseeable solution or money to finance them. Developers could have and should have contributed to fund necessary improvements to our already stressed infrastructure. Charging for parking is a ridiculous “remedy” to a bigger problem in this community. Lower the rent, “commercial landlords”!! Give tax concessions to commercial property owners and small business owners, “City of Seattle “ so that retailers can survive! Charging for parking is not charming and West Seattle IS a charming community. This is not the answer and will not enhance business. IMO
This is a pr fluff piece to…
This is a pr fluff piece to try and dress up a sad departure for folks loving the small-town feel of West Seattle and the Junction. Good luck. I won't be pay in for parking there. If I'm in a car, I might as well go where I can park for free. This decision definitely means my support of the Junction stores and services will be lessoned, especially in inclement weather/winter when it's not walking weather. So sad.
For those unable to afford …
For those unable to afford $2/hour for parking, there is still plenty of street parking for free, you may have to circle the 8-block loop to find it. The Junction businesses are stretched too thin in the pandemic to continue to burden this expense for you - just cough up the parking fee, and maybe move a little faster through the shops as you support them. Or get some exercise and walk the extra block to free street parking. And for those that are "that's what you get for electing people who keep raising taxes" need to review how property taxes work in relation to constantly-escalating land values.
What's missing from this…
What's missing from this beautifully worded description, "People can feel the heartbeat of some of the best small businesses through a perfectly scooped ice cream, to the bite of a tangy piece of pizza, or through quirky items found at local independent shops.", is the time element. Instead of wandering around the Junction enjoying these treats people will be looking at their watches and adding up their parking bill. Decisions like this have consequences.
Are you kidding? Diamond…
Are you kidding? Diamond Parking? is going to run the lots? How much of the income will go to the parking lot's themselves? and not D.P.
Well, this definitely isn’t…
Well, this definitely isn’t good news. Thanks for keeping the 2020-2021 trend in the pits.
i dont shop up there any more other then safeway instead of doing this which will only hurt the elderly and people who cant afford it so i dont really care other then the fact if you stopped electing people who do nothing but raise our taxes every year we would all be better of and we sure dont need some stupid train coming to Seattle just more waste of our money