Community Parking Program
Fremont

Your Comments Needed on Draft On-Street Parking Recommendation

SDOT is seeking input on a second draft Fremont parking management plan by November 12, 2008.

Based on the numerous comments received, SDOT has developed a second parking management draft plan. Staff presented this plan at the late October Fremont Neighborhood Council and Fremont Chamber of Commerce meetings. See the powerpoint presentation here.

View map here.

Please provide your input on this map by emailing communityparking@seattle.gov or calling 206-684-8186.

Proposed changes are expected to:

1. Ensure parking for customers
2. Provide better access for residents
3. Increase parking compliance through efficient uses of resources
4. Create a more sustainable transportation system

Recent Parking Studies

SDOT studies in 2005 and 2008 confirmed on-street parking is full along streets in the business district, making it challenging to find a place to park.

Specific findings of the 2008 Fremont parking study include:

• The majority of blocks were more than 75% full for the most of the day, with higher utilization rates at lunchtime
• Parking spaces on the blocks between Fremont Avenue N and Troll Avenue N were as full as 90%
• Unrestricted spaces west of Evanston Avenue N on N Canal Street were between 91% to 140% full – meaning many drivers are parked too close to driveways, intersections and fire hydrants
• Compliance with time-limits was poor; in some areas less than 60% of vehicles parked within the posted time-limit

When use of on-street parking spaces reaches 75% or higher, as it is throughout Fremont, SDOT considers implementing parking management changes to ensure that parking spaces are available for customers.

Next steps

SDOT will use the community input received to refine the second parking management plan. A final decision is expected toward the end of November. Any installation of paid parking and a residential parking zone is expected in 1 st Quarter 2009.

Background

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is looking to make on-street parking improvements in Fremont that support parking and access for customers, residents and employees. Building on information gathered in 2005, another parking assessment will look at current on-street parking conditions to see if new measures need to be taken.

SDOT’s previous study found high parking utilization during weekdays, early evenings and weekends. In 2005, about 150 new short-term free spaces were added by converting unrestricted on-street parking in the business district, shown on the attached map.

SDOT will also look at measures to provide incentives for employees and residents to drive less and walk, bike, bus or carpool more often.

Get Involved in the Fremont Parking Assessment

Let us know where different time-limits or load zones could help you, and what other improvements you’d like to see to on-street parking. Ideas regarding types of incentives to encourage walking, biking, busing or carpooling are also welcome.

Sign-Up: Click Here to sign up for regular email updates about Fremont parking activities.

Contact: communityparking@seattle.gov or 206.684-8186

Other Ways that SDOT is Working in Fremont

Adding Transit Service

• Starting in September, routes 26 and 28 combined will operate between downtown and Fremont every 10 minutes during peak hours and 15 minutes Sundays and evenings until 10 p.m.

Fremont Bridge Approaches Replacement and Circulation Project

• The Fremont Bridge Approach Replacement Project is nearing completion, enhancing mobility and access via the bridge. Visit www.seattle.gov/fremontbridge for more information.

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