Updates on West Seattle’s 2 ex-Blockbuster sites

ADMIRAL DISTRICT’S EX-BLOCKBUSTER … is about to be surrounded by paid parking on all three sides. Thanks to Eric for the tip on this one – he e-mailed last night to say he and his wife noticed orange striping delineating spaces around the building, and WELCOME painted on the pavement at each entrance. Public records showed no sign of a new owner/tenant at the building, so we went by this morning to look for clues, and found a man doing more painting around the lot. “All I know is, it’s going to be paid parking,” he told us – which had been our guess once we saw the freshly painted numbers on each of 33 parking spots around the building (our photo was taken at the northeast corner, by the alley). No pricing sign or pay station as of our stop; we’ll check back.

MORGAN JUNCTION’S EX-BLOCKBUSTER … is tentatively scheduled to open as Super Supplements‘ new home on July 13th, according to a company spokesperson. We first reported back in January that it would be the new home of the store that has to move out of The Junction since it’s on the future Equity Residential development site; banners went up on the Fauntleroy site last month. Super Supplements tells us the Junction store isn’t scheduled to close till July 7th, 6 days before the new one opens. Note that those are tentative dates; watch the store’s official webpage for updates.

pam May 1, 2012 (1:35 pm)

When we drove by this past weekend and saw all the cars in the parking lot we thought it would be a great money maker to add those parking spots for the community. Even if charging a few bucks to park – at least there would be parking available!

alex May 1, 2012 (1:56 pm)

As loath as I am to admit we need paid parking in West Seattle, it does seem to be true. There isn’t nearly enough parking in that area, and it’s not really fair to ask the property owner to just let the space sit vacant with no income…
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Maybe the city should buy it, and put in a junction-esque free parking lot?

KatherineL May 1, 2012 (2:07 pm)

A place to park and go to the movies! This could help the Admiral.

JR66 May 1, 2012 (3:01 pm)

It seems most of W. Seattle doesn’t know about the underground parking lot located at the Admiral Bartells. It is only $2 to park and the lot is basically empty whenever I go down there to park. Half the time the pay meter doesn’t work, so then its free, not to mention dry and warm. Admiral neighborhoods best kept secret!

EF May 1, 2012 (3:51 pm)

The admiral merchants could get together to pay for this parking to be free, kind of like the junction merchants do, if I understand correctly how its done in the junction.

Dave May 1, 2012 (9:40 pm)

I agree there isn’t a parking problem,there’s a marketing problem. I’ve also used the underground lot and never seen it half full. People also whine about the lack of parking in the Alaska junction …it’s just that they don’t know about the parking that is there. That being said, more parking is always better…though I’d rather see an actual business there.

Neighborly May 1, 2012 (11:21 pm)

Remember when they tried to get the city to subsidize an underground parking lot in Admiral? City didn’t go for it, and now there is one that’s barely used.

J May 2, 2012 (3:18 pm)

The problem with the Jefferson Square parking garage is trying to pay for it. The pay station take about 15 minutes to get anywhere.. and it doesn’t always work. I know people who have paid, not gotten a receipt and then get a ticket. Which of course they didn’t have to pay but is the hassle worth it? The hassle factor alone keeps me out of that garage… it is quicker to parker further away (for free) and walk.

artsea May 3, 2012 (9:46 am)

I’ve found the above ground parking lot at the Admiral Bartell’s is a pain to use. Don’t know about the underground one though. I’m not a fan of underground parking lots.

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