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Parking in Fremont may cost you


After the Seattle DOT conducted a couple of parking studies in Fremont, they confirmed what many of us already know - there’s never any parking in Fremont. The two studies, done in 2005 and 2008, found that the majority of blocks were more than 75% full most of the day. Now the city wants to change the parking structure in the neighborhood. They’re proposing 2-hour paid parking in the core of the business district, 10-hour parking on the outskirts and residential parking zones. A map of the proposed changes is here. Whether you’re for the changes or against them, the city wants to hear from you by October 3. Call or email project manager Stephanie Parkins at (206) 684-8186 or stephanie.parkins@seattle.gov. (Thanks Theresa for the tip!)

  • randi
    so paying for parking magically makes more of it available?? I dont understand..I work in fremont and wouldn't be too happy if I had to walk a bajillion more blocks to work. It just sounds like the city has found a jackpot.
  • Suthii
    "so paying for parking magically makes more of it available"

    When something is given away free, people will waste it. Charge for it, and they will use it more carefully....ergo, more parking will be made available.
  • mom
    and double the kitty by ticketing people that don't pay or run over.

    they're really pushing for public transportation usage it seems.
  • Jeff
    Charging for parking is a great idea for those of us who don't work there.with 2-hour limits, people won't be able to park there all day.

    Of course this sucks if you work there and have had free parking for the last forever.
  • Evan
    Well, seems pretty much inevitable. Maybe it will inspire more folks to take the bus over there. The problem is, since the county controls our bus service, we won't get an associated increase in bus frequency to go along with the reduced parking availability.
  • Jasmine
    Next up: Ballard
  • pioggia
    Evan has hit the nail on the head!

    You can't force people out of their cars if you don't provide viable alternatives.
  • kim
    jasmine-

    it's already happened. just a year ago you could park on market for free.
  • db
    I can't believe it! Suthii- you actually had a cogent, articulate response that added something to the conversation! It wasn't even snarky, dismissive, or downright hateful! That's great!
  • m
    kim - re: the parking meters on Market: they were hooded for nearly 5 years at the request of the Ballard Chamber of Commerce to encourage shopping in the Ballard retail core. As things evolved and grew it was the Chamber in conjunction with the city that chose to start utilizing the meters. This was quite a few years ago. Then about a year or so ago we changed to the new pay machines.
  • kim
    kim-

    i guess i'm recalling the signage on market. but i do now recall the hooded meters but i'm almost certain that there was also the 2 hour "free" parking signs. just like in front of bartells and the library.
  • r
    I choose what parts of town I want to do my business/shopping in based on easy and free parking. I will be spending my money elsewhere.
  • Joey
    RPZs are the worst thing ever. They should not be allowed ANYWHERE in the city. I hate the sense of entitlement people have around here.
  • Sheila
    I'm all for whatever makes it easier to find parking at the bottom of Fremont. Taking a bus isn't an option for me and I have bi-weekly appointments at the chiropractor and massage therapist.
  • Joel Niemeyer
    r - free and easy don't always go together! :-) Can't you just be happy with easy, pay a buck and call it good? If not, you may be stuck with Northgate!
  • Suthii
    "I choose what parts of town I want to do my business/shopping in based on easy and free parking."

    I hear it's easy to park in the Kent and REnton.....
  • brent
    That RPZ can't get here fast enough. Parking on Whitman suuuuuuucks.
  • Joel Niemeyer
    RPZs are kind stupid, and unless your parking is being taken by people visiting your area (shoppers?), I can't see where they would do any good at all. Aren't most of the problems caused by other residents in your area parking near your home? And would the RPZ not just apply to those folks anyway?!
  • Theresa
    I'm glad they're doing it. It's about time. If anyone has spent any time at the weekend nightlife in Fremont, parking in the downtown part of Fremont can be painful for residents who share parking on the street. There would still free spots in the area with the RPZ (marked by blue on the map linked above), but you might have to walk a few more blocks to get where you need to go.

    Busing to/from Fremont isn't hard if you're in adjacent neighborhoods. With 7 bus lines, there are lots of options (though yes, they don't work for everyone).

    If you're really that concerned, send your thoughts to SDOT. Southcenter also just built that huge parking garage if you're looking for free parking.

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