West Seattle’s newest paid-parking lot, for restaurant’s off-hours

West Seattle’s newest paid-parking lot is also the first one, so far as we can tell, that’s not in one of the Junctions. Thanks to WSB commenter WSince86 for the tip about the change for the lot behind Spiro’s Pizza at 3401 California SW. We asked Spiro’s for comment; their reply only confirmed that the lot is free to Spiro’s patrons during the hours the restaurant is open. You’ll find that in the fine print on the sign, but the rest of the time, it’s pay to park, and payments must be made by phone – no pay station, no money box. This neighborhood, like other parts of the West Seattle core, is densifying; the lot and restaurant are in the area that was part of the 2007-initiated rezone that among other things facilitated the development of Springline, the block-long apartment building now under construction to the north in the 3200 block of California SW.

Jort Sandwich December 10, 2015 (4:21 pm)

I was under the impression that, as a vehicle owner, I have a constitutional (or damn near) right to unlimited free parking for my personal vehicle within 25-50 feet of any place of my choosing. I am deeply confused — and feel that I should send a siren call to all my fellow internet commenters so that they, too, can come in and talk about the impending death of the West Seattle Junction as we know it. Without free parking, we might as well just close down every business and weep quietly in our homes. I, for one, find it completely unreasonable to have to pay a few dollars to park in an extremely dense urban core. In the end, I’m sure we can find some cyclists or something to blame for this.

WSB December 10, 2015 (4:32 pm)

This isn’t in The Junction and the tipster wasn’t outraged. You are welcome to be outraged over the underutilization of an NC2-40 parcel, though!

Craig December 10, 2015 (4:31 pm)

Sure would be nice to have a trolley line up and down California, running at predictable intervals. That way I could forget my car (or horse and buggy) and enjoy my choice of Admiral, Alaska, Morgan and all the way to the ‘endolyne’ for shopping and dining at places like this and not have to worry about parking. Pretty old school concept, but still a good one IMHO.

dsa December 10, 2015 (4:41 pm)

Probably construction workers plugged up the lot and this solved it, just speculating, have no facts.

Rick December 10, 2015 (4:54 pm)

Anyone surprised?

Rick Sanchez December 10, 2015 (5:07 pm)

I’d like for west Seattle to get its hands on the old waterfront streetcar trolleys for an Alki to Fauntleroy line. You could also run modern streetcars on it. Transfer to sound transit light rail at the Junction. What a tourist attraction in addition to actual transit utility.

thanksfortheproptaxincrease December 10, 2015 (5:25 pm)

Trolley line is an interesting idea, but we can’t consider implementing it until after we paint all bus lanes in Seattle red….

LOL! December 10, 2015 (5:26 pm)

Who in their right mind pays for parking in West Seattle? There’s free parking everywhere.

mozabo December 10, 2015 (5:36 pm)

That lot was always empty. Only in the last few months is when I started seeing several cars parking there. It started with one car and then others followed. Now it stays empty during the day again, just like it always used to be.

ceebee December 10, 2015 (5:42 pm)

I am amazed the city gave a permit for a parking lot!

forgotmyname December 10, 2015 (5:51 pm)

@Jort. LOL, the only thing missing is dropping an “out of town landlord/owner/developer” and mention that this, THIS, is the last straw and you’re moving away

WSMom December 10, 2015 (5:56 pm)

Actually, the bus service along California is pretty good as it is right now. I don’t think we really need a trolley. Plus the trolley tracks can be challenging to navigate safely on a bike.

Buttercup December 10, 2015 (6:12 pm)

Why are people upset about having to pay at this lot? It’s a private business and are allowed to use it as such. I hope it helps them recoup financial costs, sad to see do many restaurants close due to high costs in West Seattle.

chemist December 10, 2015 (6:36 pm)

Is it “call” only, because it seems like they’ve got a calltopark website and there’s even apps for iOS and android under that name. Maybe they’re just catering to the uber/zirx app-based generation.

WSince86 December 10, 2015 (6:37 pm)

Jort- As the tipster that contacted the blog about this new pay to park spot, I am anything but ‘outraged’. I have a small business near Spiro’s and for years my clients have occasionally used the parking lot, with the blessing of the restaurant owner, before 4:00. In the last year, the lot has been consistently full with vehicles driven by construction workers ALL DAY. I know this because I see them walk to and from the job site to their cars. Who can blame the restaurant owner for possibly getting tired of their generosity being abused? I thought it was an interesting story for the blog. Too bad you have the need to be so snippy.

JKB December 10, 2015 (6:58 pm)

It’s part of the city Wellness Through Walking program, formerly run by Metro’s project to curtail service to/from anywhere you are or want to be.

MsD December 10, 2015 (7:13 pm)

If anyone is truly upset about the loss of free parking and wants to block off the street in front of their home or business with no parking signs, there are about a dozen long-expired and abandoned ones strewn all over the sidewalk and parking strip in the block of California Ave. between Charlestown and Andover. Feel free to pick up some garbage and miscellaneous scrap materials that the contractor also left behind. Enjoy!

old timer December 10, 2015 (8:06 pm)

Yeah, let’s dump some scorn on construction workers who come from all over the city, with all their gear, extra clothing, and many times tools, and moan that they take up parking spaces.
In the meantime, let’s forget that these construction workers are helping to maintain the area economy while providing for themselves and their families.
It would be so much better if they didn’t exist wouldn’t it.
It’s so inconvenient to live when all life guarantees is change.

jissy December 10, 2015 (8:12 pm)

RELAX WSince86…. I’m pretty sure that Jort was being TOTALLY sarcastic — I found it to be a pretty funny comment. WSince71

Kate December 10, 2015 (8:59 pm)

I, for one, will miss the free parking that used to happen in the Spiro’s parking lot. I used to park there for my appointments at the West Seattle Dental Center. I know that people park at the Dental Center after hours. I wonder if that’s going to change now that the reciprocity is over.

Chill December 10, 2015 (9:39 pm)

Yeah, I thought Jort was being sarcastic too. Satire.

onion December 10, 2015 (9:53 pm)

I’m more annoyed at the techie payment options than anything. I can easily walk a block or two — or 20 for that matter. But An older person who truly needs nearby parking won’t navigate the phone payment thing.

JanS December 11, 2015 (12:19 am)

WSince86…thanks for the information, and thanks for the comment about snippy commenters. I quite understand why the owner is tired of construction workers parking there. When Element 42 was going up across the street from me, they took up every available space within blocks. I see clients at home, and they could never find parking. It is what it is…hope he makes a killing. Kinda feel bad for those who haven’t moved into the “smartphone” age yet, though…and, yes, they’re out there.

JanS December 11, 2015 (12:22 am)

@Chemist. I’m betting the owner of Spiro’s has no interest in being a parking lot attendant having to service a machine with money in it, like a Diamond lot. He has a restaurant to run :)

miws December 11, 2015 (7:51 am)

From the perspective of having been in the parking biz for 15 years in the ’80’s-’90’s, (not Diamond), the point that some are bringing up about it being private property are absolutely true.

Even if during the day, in this case, or overnight/weekends/Sundays only where a business such as a standalone bank may not need their lot for customers, it is *still* their lot to allow or not allow non-customers to park in during those off-hours.

What’s the harm in letting non-customers park there? Well, some of these may seem a bit of a stretch, but here are a few: Probably the most important one; liability. If the illegal parker trips in the lot walking to/from their car, they may very likely sue. Same thing if another illegal parker backs into them, as they are walking by. Some would probably even sue if their illegally parked car was damaged by another illegal parker.

Another scenario; what if during a time when the biz is closed, they were going to get the lot restriped and/or resurfaced, or other maintenance? They are under no obligation to block access, especially if signage clearly indicates that the lot is for that biz’s customers only.

A couple more: what if an illegal parker’s car leaks a bunch of oil? Environmental hazard, possibly causing the property owner fines. a mess to clean up that the property owner (likely one of their employees) would have to clean up. Oil could be a slip/fall hazard to someone; lawsuit. Also, litter. illegal parker tosses their Big Gulp cup on the ground as they get out. Or cleans out their entire trash accumulation from their car. This was a constant that I dealt with, with *legal* parkers.

Yeah, it sucks for the construction workers, I feel for them. *But* it the burden should not be on Spiro’s to provide free parking. That is on their employer and/or the developer.

All that said, I have no doubt that somebody at Diamond saw that lot, maybe even someone that specifically scouts for lots like this, that is now rubbing their hands together in the excitement of raking in some dough in a relatively easy for them manner.

Mike

DRB December 11, 2015 (8:21 am)

I have always wondered why construction workers are provided parking? When you go to work and drive you pay for parking. Right? So these huge projects we have around the city additional space is taken for workers to park. Why is that??

Ruby S. December 11, 2015 (8:44 am)

This post, and the reaponses, make me sad I moved to west seattle and into 1950.

sam-c December 11, 2015 (8:58 am)

Streetcar /trolley lines are reserved for places like Cap hill / first hill, where, strangely enough, they get light rail too. just buses for West Seattle.

West Seattle since 1979 December 11, 2015 (11:05 am)

DRB, not everyone pays for parking at their job. Some places have their own lots for employees, especially if they’re not downtown.

wetone December 11, 2015 (12:07 pm)

Who is paying the taxes on the lot ? the same person that’s now charging. What’s wrong with that ? It cracks me up seeing all these people moving into area today thinking they have the rights to use other peoples property as their own. 99% of these people have never owned property or ever will unless it’s given to them. But they know best on how property owners should be using their property. What are parents and schools teaching kids today. Life long here in WS use to be a fun place to hang out but no more. We leave area now when we go out as parking is terrible, reasonable priced food options have declined and people’s attitudes are not friendly like the old WS. That’s progress I guess. For anyone that doesn’t agree that’s fine, but talk to anyone that has lived here for 20+yrs…. Seattle is turning into a city of people that pay, and a bigger portion of people that feel their owed.. not sustainable. Thanks Mayor

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