Pay now or pay big later

As the number of pay-to-park lots around WS increases, watch closely for the signs, and do be aware that the enforcers make the rounds — as discovered today by the spouse of a regular reader. Reportedly, more than a dozen cars in the lot near Wells Fargo in The Junction all got simultaneously ticketed during the Farmers’ Market across the street. The reader went back for a closer look at the signage … and yes, it’s posted (reader photo @ right) … but that doesn’t make the $35 ticket any easier to take. (Payable online, courtesy of the industrious folks at Diamond Parking.) Yes, of course lot owners have the right to charge whatever the traffic will bear, as discussed after our recent post about the future Fauntleroy Place site converting to a Diamond-managed pay lot. But you can’t help wonder if it’s a slippery slope. The Junction merchants have worked hard to keep several free lots available for us all, and lobbied against paid parking on WS streets (earning us the envy of other neighborhoods). But as the pay lots multiply, can the city resist trying for a cut of the action?

chas redmond September 16, 2007 (11:19 pm)

I am never sure why folks park in the Wells Fargo lot, when half-a-block further north is another free Junction Association lot. Even on market Sundays, that lot usually has at least two or three empty spots all the time – I can verify this since I park there for the Sustainable West Seattle tabling I’ve been doing all market season this year. I suppose the real reason is folks are lazy or want the $10,000 spot – in the case of Wells Fargo, they’re coming close to that dollar goal.

And, there’s also 44th to the west, but, it’s a steep uphill climb. Again, the lazy factor. I usually park where I know there’s always a spot and just walk the difference. I see a few more things along the way as well.

Of course, if we had effective West Seattle bus service which circulated around the peninsula and ran on 15 or 12 minute centers, 7 days a week, from 6 am to 1 am, most of us would be willing to ditch our cars. Right now, the easiest way to navigate West Seattle is in a car and until that changes, most folks will still be using their car to get around our little burb. Try leaving the Admiral theater after the last show and taking a bus home to the Gatewood area. Walking would be faster.