News blog for Seattle's Fremont neighborhood
 

City crews to install parking meters

By Geeky Swedes · February 20th, 2009 · Comments

Controversial parking changes are coming to Fremont in the next few days.

On Monday, the Seattle Department of Transportation will start the process to implement the parking plan. Changes include two-hour paid parking in the retail core, time-limit signs for some no-cost spaces, and a new residential parking zone (RPZ). Here’s a map (.pdf) The city says:

The on-street parking enhancements will feature:
- An RPZ on streets north and east of the business district to ensure residents can more easily park;
- Two-hour paid parking in the high demand retail area, using 90 of 700 spaces, to create parking turnover and provide better access for customers
- Time-limit signs on no-cost spaces outside Fremont’s retail core to promote more space turnover.

The RPZ and paid parking signs are scheduled for installation beginning on Monday while the parking kiosks will be installed on Wednesday. The city plans to have the pay stations “live” by March 9th. The city believes that these changes will make parking in the neighborhood easier for residents, visitors and businesses. The Fremont Chamber of Commerce has opposed this plan, as does the Keep Fremont Free group.

  • SDH
    I wonder what the impact will be on the PCC 90 min free carpark... it's already very busy (and full of don't pay attention or use mirrors drivers) and if it continues to be free for 90 mins then I guess everyone will check it out first before feeding a meter. Evanston and the entrance alleyway aren't really up to any more traffic.
  • I'm so confused here! I thought we would be receiving permit applications in the mail but as of yet, I've received nothing. And of course calling the phone number just puts you into a loop. Grrrrr!
  • Jess
    I am a resident of Fremont, and I get my own covered parking. However, now I have to think about shelling out $45 for my guests. Parking was never a problem in my neighborhood so I don't even know why this was passed for my block.
  • Sheila
    If it means I can get a space the several times a week I'm in that part of Fremont, then I'm all for it. I'll be more likely, not less, to shop there.
  • Such arrant nonsense; bureaucratic doublespeak. Reminds me of Orwell's 1984; war is peace, paid parking is good for a neighborhood whose small shops are already suffering financially and whose drop-in shoppers will no longer drop in. We suffered through the bridge reconstruction, and now this, thanks so much City of Seattle.

    I'm lucky- I can walk to my workplace in Fremont. My patients, however, will have to add the price of parking to the cost of psychotherapy. We see poor people in our clinic, and for folks who pay us only 10/session, sometimes with difficulty, that extra money is going to make a bad difference.
  • holz
    the original parking plan they tried to force could have generated almost $750,000.00 a year @ 80% capacity. but this way, the city will still get $50,000 in RPZ stickers that cost about $1000 to print.

    if the damned parking maids would just do their jobs, none of this would have been neccesary. but yet, somehow i'm sure the city would still have found a way to force the RPZ upon the overwhelming majority of residents that voted no.

    guarantee this will do nothing to alleviate traffic, if anything it will make it worse as visitors cruise up and down streets for a non-paid parking slot.

    ironically, this tax was brought in the same year nickels was opposed to the parks levy because of undo hardships on families. what a friggin clown.

    at least the residents and chamber were able to argue it down to a smaller paid parking area. but it's still absolute sh*te.
  • SDUB
    "...to create parking turnover and provide better access for
    customers...." Eh I think not. Cash generation more like.
  • SPG
    I don't know if this will affect long term shoppers much, but those of us who want to pop in to Ladro for a coffee to go might think twice.
  • Manders83
    We voted against the paid parking plan but now have a reason to bike to Fremont instead of driving which is something we should be doing anyways when we live so close.

    This will not affect our loyalty to our favorite restaurants or boutiques. I doubt it will for any other locals who frequent the area, and if tourists end up driving and have to pay to park then even better.
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