City to remove some SW Genesee parking to help Route 50 get by

| Delridge | Transportation | West Seattle news

Now that Metro Route 50 is running on SW Genesee, following the activation of the Genesee/Avalon stoplight, another change is in the works: SDOT has announced plans to remove some of the parking along Genesee on both sides of Avalon, after Metro told the city it needs more room on the road to operate safely. We talked today with Jonathan Dong from SDOT, who says the city sent notices a few days ago to Genesee property owners. The details are on this webpage (click on the link “SW Genesee St and SW Avalon Way Parking Removal” to reveal the text), including:

*Parking will be removed on the north side of SW Genesee Street between SW Avalon and Delridge Way SW

*Parking will be removed on the south side of SW Genesee Street between SW Avalon Street and 30th Avenue SW

Though the online text says it will take effect “February 2013,” Dong tells WSB the changes are not happening immediately; the city is getting the word out right now, including the notices and, he adds, a briefing at the next meeting of the North Delridge Neighborhood Council (March 11th, one week from Monday). Dong explains that the road is two feet too narrow to accommodate buses and parking – it’s 25 feet wide, but the minimum for buses and parking is 27 feet. The web page notes that you can reach him for comment at (206) 233-8564 or e-mail at jonathan.dong@seattle.gov.

rocky raccoon February 27, 2013 (10:01 pm)

I feel no outrage at this decision, nor do I feel like I know more about traffic safety, transportation, street design, etc, than everyone with full-time jobs in these fields.

I’m sorry.

Mike Flynn February 28, 2013 (12:08 am)

I remain stunned at whatever thought process is now putting stretch buses on 30th Avenue SW between Barton and Roxbury. Really?

Westseattledood February 28, 2013 (12:51 am)

Funny.

NorDel February 28, 2013 (6:58 am)

I thought they would be taking the parking on the Delridge end. It’s a tight fit with a Metro bus at the light (Genessee) and a school bus turning (onto Genessee). I watched, as I sat through two cycles on the traffic light, a school bus inched its way through the turn, and the Metro driver honked. It was pretty bad.

AN February 28, 2013 (8:41 am)

@ Mike,
I agree on that and I’m still trying to figure out how the C line is saving Metro money when, at any given time of day, there are at least 3 buses on Barton and 2 on 25th AVE Running…is this not using gas as they sit there for 10 to 30 minutes!

boy February 28, 2013 (10:29 am)

The best part of the buses parked on 25th at westwood village is the blind spot pulling out of the east parking lot. With the detour and the buses parked where they are you have to pull way out just to see cars coming. I have seen many close calls.

The Original MB February 28, 2013 (10:37 am)

@AN, exactly what I’ve been thinking since all the Metro changes!! I’ve lived here my whole life and never, EVER had I seen more than 2 buses sitting across from Target on Barton and never, EVER had I ever seen even 1 sitting across from the licensing building, by B of A. Now, almost every time I go to Westwood there are two parked buses blocking the view for traffic going in and out of Westwood (I’ve seen a ton of near misses) on the Bank of America side and at least 3 sitting across from Target with usually a full load of people waiting at the bus stop. I don’t get it. I know bus drivers take breaks just like everyone else, but it seems pretty inefficient to always have so many buses just sitting at the same time…often times idling.

As far as the original topic, regarding parking on Genesee, I feel bad for those who live there and needed the street parking. But I also grew up on 26th and cross Genesee on 26th daily (right there at the Delridge Skate Park) and it is dangerous how hard it is to see oncoming traffic through the parked cars. I thank my lucky stars every time I get through that intersection. Sometimes I avoid it all together. And yes, it’s a tight squeeze for buses, especially when there’s anything bigger than a small vehicle going the opposite direction!!