Edmonds boots monthly parking spots used by Kitsap commuters
Published 1:30 am Saturday, May 5, 2018
EDMONDS — The city gained parking by getting lean and painting lines.
Over the past year, a few efforts combined to create 75 spaces for shoppers and visitors to downtown Edmonds. Elimination of monthly stalls being rented by Kitsap County residents, “tick marks” for 10-foot parallel parking spaces and arrangements for public use of private lots during the evenings were all part of the equation.
“We’re trying to add increments to meet additional demand, without building a parking garage, which costs millions of dollars,” said Patrick Doherty, economic development director.
A city-owned parking lot on Fourth Avenue south of Main Street has 25 spaces, 14 of which were for monthly parking. Doherty said a city review of the leases revealed that all 14 were held by Kitsap County residents. Those leases were given 90 days notice for termination. By July 1, they need to find somewhere else to leave their car overnight for about $120 per month.
“We appreciate anyone who comes to Edmonds for any reason… even if they’re commuters,” Doherty said. “But we believe there’s more potential to help the downtown.”
Later, he added: “We didn’t get any screaming phone calls or horrible letters back.”
Losing those spots doesn’t appear to be a major loss to commuters from Kingston or Kitsap County. The Port of Kingston does not track numbers of cars left in Edmonds or walk-on ferry commuters, Executive Director Jim Pivarnik said. But the district offers a large network of parking opportunities for commuters, he said.
Similarly, Kitsap County Commissioner Robert Gelder said he had not heard from anyone in his county about the parking changes.
The freed-up spaces will join their adjacent 11 spots with a three-hour limit. The hope is that with added nearby available parking, people will be encouraged to visit downtown Edmonds more often.
“From the businesses’ standpoint, community standpoint, parking has been a pain point,” said Kiersten Christensen, president of the Edmonds Downtown Alliance.
According to a 2012 report, “10 Principles for Rebuilding Neighborhood Retail,” by the Urban Land Institute, “today’s consumers… expect nothing less than a guaranteed space close to their shopping destination every time they shop.” Another on-street parking feature identified in the report as “critical for some retailers’ success” is steady turnover, similar to restaurants. One estimate, according to an article published by the International Parking Institute, is that an on-street parking space is valued at $20,000 in annual revenue to nearby businesses and local government.
For Edmonds, the request for more parking was most important.
“People have felt tightness in parking supply,” Doherty said.
Previously, on-street parking along Fifth Avenue from Walnut to Bell streets and on Main Street from Third to Sixth avenues was in long strips. Cars, SUVs and trucks came and went, leaving excess space between them. That was an inefficient use of space in a retail area that’s seeing more demand around the clock, Doherty said. Defining and confining the spaces to 10 feet with painted spaces last week has added up to 24 spaces over the eight-block area.
The Edmonds Downtown Alliance worked on an agreement with the Bank of Washington to use the parking lot after business hours. Christensen said signs posted in the bank’s lot for evening use also have reminded daytime visitors that they can’t park there.
Similar considerations are under way with other private lots, Christensen said.
Gone are the days of referring to the area as “Deadmonds,” Doherty said. Beloved bars are thriving, parks and public space are being renovated, and restaurants and shops are opening.
“It’s kind of a good problem to have because it’s a sign of prosperity,” Doherty said.
While other cities are considering or have implemented paid parking in select areas, that isn’t on the near horizon for Edmonds.
Ben Watanabe: bwatanabe@heraldnet.com; 425-339-3037. Twitter @benwatanabe.
