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Chinatown-International District Parking Meter Installation Project 
January 8, 2004SDOT installed approximately 80 parking meters in the area around Kobe Terrace in October 2003. Background In July, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) proposed installing new parking meters in the Chinatown/International District to address short-term parking needs for business customers. The proposal was consistent with the Chinatown/International District Strategic Plan and the C/ID Parking Needs Assessment, which recommended actions that discourage on-street employee parking through more restricted parking. After discussions both internally and with community stakeholders, SDOT decided to install approximately 80 parking meters on streets with time-limit signs around the Kobe Terrace, namely along S Washington St, S Main St, and 7th Ave S. Before this, SDOT staff attended several meetings in July to discuss the proposal, namely: Chinatown/International District BIA Board, the Chinese Chamber, Chinatown/International District Transportation Committee, and a resident's meeting sponsored by the International District Housing Alliance. The project seeks to recognize the work the Transportation Committee is doing to address employee, customer and residential parking and access needs, while also accommodating the City's goals for parking and transportation in downtown Seattle. Maps of existing and proposed meter locations Map of previous parking regulations - PDF format Map of new parking meter locations - PDF format At the community meetings, we heard concerns from residents and business owners about the scale of the meter installation proposal and the effects on residents and local employees. Consequently, SDOT decided to phase the meter installation in over time in the following ways: Phase 1 - In October 2003, about 80 meters were installed on streets with time-limit signs around the Kobe Terrace with installation starting in October Phase 2 - In 2004, SDOT will discuss installing parking meters on streets with time-limit signs around 8th Ave S and S Weller St. Additionally, time-limit signs will be added to streets in areas where there are no current restrictions. We will work with the community about the specific proposal before meters are installed. Phase 3 - In 2004 or 2005, SDOT will discuss installing about 90 meters where time-limit signs were added in Phase 2. Again, we will work with the community before decisions are made. Passenger load, 30-minute load/unload, bus stops, and no-parking zones along these blocks were not moved. The rate for these meters will not be different than the meters already in this area. There will be subsequent paid parking installation phases in 2004 and 2005, as has been and will continue to be discussed with various community stakeholders. For any questions about parking meter installation, please contact Mary Catherine Snyder at (206) 684-8110 or marycatherine.snyder@seattle.gov. In addition, if community members have specific changes or additions to loading zones in the Chinatown/International District, please contact Nora Chinn at (206) 684-5318 or nora.chin@seattle.gov. |
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