19 Replies to "West Seattle parking alert: New limits in Luna Park"

• GenHillOne March 3, 2009 (12:59 pm)

  If you’re in a vanpool, why wouldn’t you park in the lot under the bridge instead of in front of businesses anyway? Just seems odd since a van is mobile and you’re not trying to park near a particular bus stop, for instance.

• Dave March 3, 2009 (1:20 pm)

  Vanpools have been meeting in front of Luna Park/Java Bean for years, long before I started, I was advised by other vanpoolers that was a convenient meeting place. I don’t know how the practice started but I’d guess it’s because cars on Avalon are more visible and less likely to be broken into than those under the bridge. If the rest of the street becomes time-limited then we’ll probably end up moving our meeting point to the P&R.

• AB March 3, 2009 (2:17 pm)

  That is unfortunate, I work across the street at Java Bean and it looks like now I’ll have to do the 2 hour shuffle. The P & R is a nightmare, so easy for prowlers to prowl. I saw cars broken into during the big snowstorm. Oh well. It’ll probably be metered next.

• acemotel March 3, 2009 (2:19 pm)

  Truck drivers park their cars on Avalon during the day and their chassis all along Avalon during the nights. It’s almost like a perpetual long-term parking lot.

• 56bricks March 3, 2009 (3:19 pm)

  As always, follow the money. That’s how things get done, like it or not.

• Melissa March 3, 2009 (3:54 pm)

  Wait, what? Did you all not read the post? There’s parking further up the hill! And for those who might (ahem, 56bricks) be suggesting that Revo has something to do with this, where’s the evidence? Jeez, don’t jump the gun, people. And no one is saying you have to park in the P&R, just that you might have to walk an extra half block.

• WSB March 3, 2009 (4:05 pm)

  SDOT is looking into my question about the impetus for this, fwiw, so we will add that when we get word, though it might not be till tomorrow – TR

• 56bricks March 3, 2009 (4:35 pm)

  ahem,Melissa, In no way did I implicate anyone or anything. Just dealing with reality here. When ya get defensive it tells me something’s goin’ on. Pay attention.

• Jim March 3, 2009 (4:46 pm)

  If the upcoming rapid ride gets routed down avalon, the curb lane will become a bus only lane. They are just warming you up for it.

• KSJ March 3, 2009 (7:08 pm)

  56bricks, wonder where you think “the money” is?
  –
  I feel bad for the Java Bean employee, but why isn’t this a good thing for most people? It’s really difficult to patronize that stretch of businesses, including Luna Park, because parking is so tight down there. This should help.

• GenHillOne March 3, 2009 (8:29 pm)

  I agree, KSJ; having the spaces turn over should make it easier to get to those businesses.

  If the P&R is so bad (and I’ve heard it has its moments), what needs to be done to improve it? What good is a Park & Ride if no one wants to PARK?! It’s a shame that it’s so underutilized.

• Michael March 4, 2009 (1:33 am)

  With more service businesses going in in that area, it’s no surprise that the “unmarked park ‘n’ ride” is becoming business-oriented parking.
  .
  Unfortunately for the Java Bean employee, his is one of the business that stands to benefit (I remember theirs was one of the businesses that was concerned about customers having to park across the street and cross mid-block, and this will free up the valuable spaces on the SB side of the street).

• AB March 4, 2009 (8:30 am)

  I located parking spaces off Avalon, plenty of parking up the hill. Had to think out of the box. Hate it when I have to do that. What is the number one complaint at JAva Bean? Parking!!! This will increase empty spots for people to enjoy the Bean. Bravo. I want that park and ride to be utilized, but it is isolated and scary down there.

• Steph March 4, 2009 (8:33 am)

  My vanpool use to meet on that street across from the animal clinic for many years as well because our cars would get broken into when parked under the bridge in the park & ride. Park & rides are a huge target for prowlers.

• keden March 4, 2009 (4:01 pm)

  I hope parking enforcement takes a look at the car repair place on Avalon next to Java Bean. Their old cars are all over the place, taking up street parking. I think that business and the parked semis are a much bigger problem than commuters.

• Sarah March 4, 2009 (4:57 pm)

  Keden – unfortunately, the current situation at the British auto repair shop is with parking enforcement. We used to live right there, and would regularly see an officer ticketing the shop’s cars. My husband actually saw the owner of the shop get very confrontational with the officer over the fines. Guess they just don’t care.
  They also regularly park the vehicles on the sidewalk in front of the shop (along Avalon), forcing pedestrians to essentially walk in traffic. Nope, don’t miss them as neighbors! (Now Sean and Sofia Goff of Cafe Revo, on the other hand… miss you guys!)

• celeste17 March 4, 2009 (11:12 pm)

  I wish they could do something about the park and ride area under the bridge. A few years ago I parked under the bridge in the unofficial park and ride area and had my car stolen.

• feline_fan March 5, 2009 (1:33 am)

  Unfortunately, it will probably take someone getting killed or raped before the police do anything to make the P&R under the bridge safer. How about more lighting and cameras?

• WSB March 5, 2009 (1:51 am)

  SDOT did finally confirm yesterday, by the way, that these signs went up at the request of “adjacent property owners.” That could mean either side of the street, SDOT spokesperson Marybeth Turner said. No other signless stretches of WS streets are currently slated for signs – TR

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