26 Jan Community Leaders Call for Reevalution of Parking Rates

On Monday, the Downtown Seattle Association (DSA) and more than a dozen businesses and neighborhood organizations issued a letter to the Mayor and City Council urging a delay in the implementation of parking meter rate increases around the Seattle area. Concerned by the use of peak-period occupancy to set rates, the group – made up of 15 area businesses and organizations – has requested the City take a second look at the data collected in SDOT’s 2010 study and reevaluate the proposed rate increases.

“Ensuring parking availability is critical,” said Louise Chernin, executive director of the Greater Seattle Business Association. “However, a huge jump in parking fees coupled with extending hours until 8 p.m. for parking meter usage could have a serious adverse impact on our retail and hospitality businesses. Instead of spending the extra money within our shops or at happy hour, they’ll be putting it toward parking. We also run the risk of those much sought after 6 – 8 p.m. customers simply going home and doing their shopping elsewhere.”

In its letter, the coalition notes the impact increased parking rates have had on City-owned Pacific Place Garage in Downtown Seattle. Parking occupancy in the structure has declined following two double-digit rate increases in 2008 and 2009. While the coalition does applaud the City for taking a data-driven look at parking occupancy, it’s such examples that have coalition members saying they are not convinced the solution should include prices as high as $4 an hour in some of the City’s most highly trafficked neighborhoods.

“For many Downtown-area neighborhoods, finding on-street parking has always been a challenge,” said Tony Fuoco, president of the First Hill Improvement Association. “With that said, I am not convinced raising rates will solve our difficult parking dilemma, and moreover, am concerned that setting parking prices at the highest possible amount for 12 hours a day will have a very negative impact on the residents of our neighborhoods.”

The group is instead suggesting the City delay the implementation of new rates – scheduled to begin in February – until further analysis is done and a more appropriate pricing strategy is found. The letter is signed by Downtown Seattle Association, First Hill Improvement Association, Seattle’s Convention and Visitors Bureau, Pioneer Square Residential Council and nearly a dozen others. A copy of the letter, as well as a full list of contributing businesses and neighborhood groups, can be found online here.

Those wishing to voice their own concerns and opinions about Downtown Seattle’s parking situation can attend a free open forum Today, January 26 from 11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. in the Bertha Knight Landes Room of City Hall. Find more details about this lunchtime parking forum examining the best practices in Downtown parking here.