Reader report: 3-car crash in Jefferson Square parking lot

Just out of the WSB inbox from “k” (thank you!) – we are en route to check it out:

just returned from safeway at jefferson square. 3 car accident right in front of the starbucks in the lot. close call for them! the cars were on the curb. not sure what happened, but police are there directing traffic and tow trucks are on scene. saw one fender on the ground and a lot of damage.

this lot is truly a mess always. this just made it even worse.

1:25 PM UPDATE: Don’t worry about trouble if you have to go to J-Square – the scene is now clear.

wsblover June 24, 2008 (2:24 pm)

I’ve seen a few accidents in this lot over the years.. aint gonna get any better with that 100+ unit going in across the street. I loathe this area and only go if I have to. Good luck!

JanS June 24, 2008 (3:02 pm)

wsblover, I’m with you…I’m picturing someone backing out at Bartell’s/Starbucks, someone turning into the center from the west lane, and someone turning into the center from the east lane…, and…well…crunch…..I don’t shop there unless I absolutely have to…

but we’ve got all of those things in the Admiral District, except for a couple of specific eating establishments, and maybe a book store…so..it’s easy to avoid :)

JumboJim June 24, 2008 (3:07 pm)

You know, I don’t know why people don’t use the lower parking lot. It’s a lot more sane than above. I never have a problem when I park below…

wsblover June 24, 2008 (3:21 pm)

I agree Jan on both points. Plus, people drive down the wrong side of the street.

Good point JJ.

kestricker June 24, 2008 (3:39 pm)

Agree with everyone. I shop at JS Safeway ONLY because I live right across the street and do not have to deal with the parking lot (except to jump out of the way of crazy drivers not paying attention). I think if the new QFC or WF have decent parking situations it is only a matter of time before all Safeway shoppers shift to QFC or WF. That leaves the question- what will happen to Safeway?

eli June 24, 2008 (3:56 pm)

I’m looking forward to the QFC opening, I can’t stand that Safeway. I can never find what I need nor the brands I prefer. Currently I do most of my shopping at West Seattle Thriftway even though the safeway is just blocks from my home.

JanS June 24, 2008 (3:56 pm)

JJ…that lower lot is wonderful, for many reasons…and..it’s free..I don’t think everyone realizes that…

OP June 24, 2008 (4:03 pm)

I’d rather kiss an ebola virus infected monkey than go into the J-Square parking lot between the hours of 4pm-7pm and any Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

SomeGuy June 24, 2008 (4:42 pm)

Any truth to the rumor that all three vehicles were VW’s?

CandrewB June 24, 2008 (5:12 pm)

I heard a water balloon was involved.

westseattledood June 24, 2008 (5:29 pm)

They weren’t all on their cell phones were they?

JanS June 24, 2008 (6:08 pm)

LOL…OP…you really don’t like that place, do you?

Sue June 24, 2008 (6:29 pm)

OMG, OP … I’m laughing so hard I’m crying. And I’m right there with ya!
.
As for the lower lot, isn’t there a sign that says you need to pay?

Admiral Janeway June 24, 2008 (6:32 pm)

I wasn’t sure if the lower level was free parking.
The upper lot has the narrowest parking spaces around, and I have a door ding to prove it.

JanS June 24, 2008 (6:33 pm)

Sue…there’s a sign, maybe..but..I have parked there numerous times to go into the office bldg. there at Jeff. Square…there has never been an attendant, and I’ve been doing it for years…

Bob Loblaw June 24, 2008 (6:54 pm)

Just saw there will be an “Ebola Virus Infected Monkey Kissing Booth” at HiYu this year. Believe Alki Cafe is the sponsor …

add June 24, 2008 (7:45 pm)

LOL Bob Loblaw!

wombat June 24, 2008 (9:15 pm)

I like turtles

JumboJim June 24, 2008 (9:40 pm)

The lower lot is a pay lot except after 5 and on weekends (I think.) That’s why it’s better parking down there – the fact that you have to pay means there are far fewer VWs running amok down there…

sheila June 24, 2008 (10:01 pm)

Jefferson Square is without a doubt the worst lot I know of – I love Bartells and Starbucks but somebody needs to change that mess of a parking lot! Must be the revenge of Jefferson School, they should have left it alone! Any other Jefferson people agree?

JanS June 24, 2008 (10:14 pm)

hey…mebbe WSB can check it out if there’s really pay parking or not down there…well, if they have a spare moment , that is – lol…or maybe one of us could check it out and report back :)

WSB June 24, 2008 (10:48 pm)

if nobody reports back we’ll check next time we’re in the vicinity. tomorrow morning as of this writing we’re planning to join the mayor’s underground tour of Beacon Hill reservoir since it’s a project similar to Myrtle. it’s literally been at least a year since I’ve ever even peeked into that lot and I remember the attendant booth looking abandoned – but OTOH that was before the Petco lot closed and the pay lots started cropping up charging up to $5 so I would be SHOCKED if someone weren’t monetizing that lot now.

Indaknow June 25, 2008 (7:29 am)

I know that once when I was taking one of our pets to the vet I got a stern-talking to and scary look from the booth attendant monitoring the perimeter of the lot because the 2 reserved spots were taken and I parked in an adjacent unreserved parking spot, but had not paid. He saw me with my cat carrier and deduced that I was, in fact, leaving the veterinarian’s office. No cuffs or tasers were displayed ;-) This was over a year ago, and I don’t believe the garage is still monitored.

CMP June 25, 2008 (7:40 am)

I’ve never seen an attendant in there (when I bother to look) and I drive by there all the time on my way home from the bridge. If it’s free parking all the time, I may have to check it out since the upstairs lot is terrible.

Oh yeah, I love SomeGuy’s comment…maybe they were all silver Jetta’s?!

blue June 25, 2008 (8:54 am)

I just wanted to report on the lower lot in Jefferson Square. Though it used to be free on evenings and weekends, it is now being managed by Diamond Parking, and it is not free at anytime. A Diamond attendant does check for parking passes and or permits every few hours, so if you are parking down there without paying, it is a only a matter of time before you get a costly ticket. I own a business in Jefferson Square, so I’m very frustrated with the parking situation as it affects my business. The upper lot is usually pretty open and relatively painless to park in between 10-4 on weekdays. (Yesterday was an exception). There is also free 2 hour or all day parking on the surrounding streets. In the evening hours I’d suggest just parking a few blocks away and taking a walk, at least when the weather is nice. Anyway, just wanted to make sure everyone was aware of the change in the lower lot.

JanS June 25, 2008 (11:14 am)

thanks, blue. I know that I’ve used that lot during the day in the past (not recently), to go to Prudential RE, or other in the office bldg., and even to go to Rocksport for lunch (just this past spring), and it was free then…have never paid. So this IS a turn of events…does Diamond Parking have a monopoly in this city? Seems that way. I try to avoid making them richer :)

blue June 25, 2008 (11:42 am)

JanS.
Diamond took over the lot this Spring. However, if you are going to Prudential, they still have their own spaces marked Prudential Customers Only that you can use for free while at Prudential. I have emailed this discussion to the company who owns Jefferson Square in the hopes that some good will come of it-a better designed upper lot and better signage in the lower lot explaining the change in rules would be a start.

JenV June 25, 2008 (12:29 pm)

heres a tip to dealing with Joe Diamond- always pay for your parking with a check, so there is a record that you have paid. They are so crooked, they gave me a ticket for not paying one night in the lot across from US bank. Lucky for me I had paid with a check, which they conveniently “found” when I complained and voided their ticket. I think this is SOP for them- if you pay in cash, you have no record you have paid – then Diamond gets to ding you with a $35 ticket!

fiz June 25, 2008 (2:02 pm)

Ditto, JenV, the same thing happened to us in a Diamond downtown lot. When I called to complain and describe exactly the bills and coins we were able to scrape up under the seats to pay the exhorbitant parking fee, the Diamond employee who answered told me SHE always pays with a check when she has to use one of their lots. Make sure to note the lot address and stall number, time, etc. on your check.

Unfortunately it’s impossible to park in Seattle without encountering Diamond Parking. I’m a lifelong resident of West Seattle and find it so disappointing that Diamond is now entrenched here.

fiz June 25, 2008 (2:17 pm)

One of Diamond’s employees told me that SHE always pays by check in their lots.

Those checks should include the lot location, stall number, date and time, etc.

Stephanie June 26, 2008 (3:49 pm)

I usually can park in the upper lot but it is going to get worse when that damn condo is done. BTW, I was not aware of this blog when comments & (I hope) complaints where posted in the begining about that condo going up taking away the Petco parking. I am still steamed about that. I can’t take my dog there to shop and get her food (both her & her food are large). I know there is a parking lot on the other side but when you have a large dog with a cart it’s not easy. Oh well….

Robert Nessly July 19, 2008 (7:47 pm)

just wanted everyone to know that it was my mother who got into that accident. she was wearing sandles and one got behind the break. after the going around backwards once, she got down and removed the sandle, that was the reason the car hit three other parked cars. She is doing ok, sister who was in care also doing good.
but the car was totaled, just wanted to let you know she now has another car. watch out all.

Sorry, comment time is over.