SCL: Did you really need to take two blocks for your 10 foot construction project?
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SCL: Did you really need to take two blocks for your 10 foot construction project?

I have called and complained, and not heard back about why Seattle City Light has blocked off two blocks of parking for a small road project.

There are signs lining 2nd Ave Ext S between Yesler and Washington, and Washington Avenue, just north of 2nd that have restricted parking at all hours, and threatened that cars will be towed at owners expense if they park there.

And yet, this is what they often look like (at least after 5pm, on the weekend, and holidays):

This was the view over Memorial Day weekend — empty. The view was the same during a Mariners game — no one could park here. Why? Because of this project, happening on the corner of 2nd and Washington:

Remember all of the posts on parking? (here, here, and here) And how we feel our neighborhood isn’t being treated fairly?

The trail to even find out if they were approved to block of this parking was a long one: I first called OED to facilitate (never called back), then I called Seattle City Light, after looking up on SDOT’s website that it was their project. They said it wasn’t theirs. So I called SDOT, who said it was SCL’s project, and I was sent back to SCL. Who again said they couldn’t find it. So then I called SDOT’s street use inspector who makes sure street use people follow the rules. He sent me to SDOT’s traffic control, who approves parking plans.

Finally the right place. She said that it was indeed a Seattle City Light project and that their permit only included removing parking on Washington Avenue. They are not, in fact, permitted to remove parking on 2nd Ave Ext S. Furthermore, even if they WERE permitted, they have to post hours of use (i.e. only 8am – 5pm) and definitely not over a holiday weekend.

I have secondary calls into SCL (who are still “investigating” whether or not they’re doing work there), and have let the street use inspector know that they are not following the rules as approved through SDOT’s permitting process.

The project is scheduled to continue through June 18th.

UPDATE

SCL followed up with me late last week that they stopped by the site, and confirmed that the “No parking” signs should not have been there and have removed them on both 2nd Ave Ext S and Washington Ave.

For future reference — here are the numbers YOU can start calling if you run into this problem:

SDOT: Rick Sheridan, 206-684-8540
SDOT’s Street Use Inspector (Downtown): Ken Ewalt, 206-684-4995
SDOT’s Traffic Control: Marilyn Vancill, 206-684-5111

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