LAST CALL: City’s surveys about possible West Seattle Junction street-parking changes close Monday

| Transportation | West Seattle news

Three weeks after we first told you that SDOT is again studying the possibility of paid street parking in The Junction, here’s a reminder that their community surveys close tomorrow. If you haven’t responded already, you can go to the appropriate link to do that now:

There are three versions of the survey – for Junction businesses here, for West Seattle residents here, and for “visitors” here.

This is the first time in almost nine yearsthat SDOT has revisited the situation. Here’s how they’re evaluating it this time. Survey responses and other feedback, plus data about parking in The Junction and Triangle (the SDOT-provided map above shows the areas of focus), will result in what SDOT describes as “draft recommendations” that it’ll present sometime this fall. SIDE NOTE: Given that some local businesses famously fought paid street parking decades ago, we asked the West Seattle Junction Association whether its board has taken a position on this; short answer, no.

Richard Ghrave July 26, 2026 (8:33 pm)

It would be helpful if you actually shared the link to the parking study sdot put on the peoject website in your article.But since you did not in your first article or in this one, I will share it: https://www.seattle.gov/documents/Departments/SDOT/ParkingProgram/CAPP/West%20Seattle%20Junction%20Curbspace%20Review%20-%20July%202026.pdf

Westwood July 26, 2026 (9:21 pm)

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The studies are available at the links WSB provided above.
Marina July 26, 2026 (10:27 pm)

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Both articles have the links though. In this one, it’s the second paragraph.
SLJ July 27, 2026 (8:02 am)

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The links were provided. WSB does an amazing job, please double check before you post a snarky comment.

jissy July 26, 2026 (9:01 pm)

When I was a kid there were meters all over in the Junction — think I remember it was $0.15/hr. – my brother and I fought over who got to feed it.

Erik July 26, 2026 (10:16 pm)

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Frankly if it were 15 cents an hour I’d gladly pay but you know they’re gonna gouge us on the pricing…
- Rankler July 27, 2026 (6:19 am)
  
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  They won’t gouge you. They’ll charge you what you might think is gouging but it is still below the actual value for your private vehicle to get temporary exclusive use of a public space.
  - Alki resident July 27, 2026 (8:16 am)
    
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    You mean the road we pay for already with our tax dollars?
    - K July 27, 2026 (9:53 am)
      
      Yes, Alki Resident, the road that your personal tax dollars do not even come close to fully paying for, that is currently subsidized by those who don’t drive or utilize street parking.
  - wscommuter July 27, 2026 (8:52 am)
    
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    I’m curious what exactly you mean by “… still below the actual value for your private vehicle to get temporary exclusive use of a public space.” Because on its face, that’s a pretty nonsensical thing to say. Cars are, indeed, privately owned. Public parking is, in fact, public space. Parking spaces are, in fact, “exclusive” in the sense that only one car can fit at a time. What “value” do you think is being measured here?
    - Erik July 27, 2026 (9:27 am)
      
      Yea it’s a bunch of nonsense. I’m an actual licensed appraiser and can tell you they were just spewing random nonsense about “value”. It doesn’t work that way.
    - bill July 27, 2026 (10:02 am)
      
      The value of parking is easy to gauge. Just check the rates at the nearby private lots.
Bill#1 July 27, 2026 (2:47 am)

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There was also plenty of free parking in the lots on the back sides of the stores off of 42nd and 44th — I never paid a cent!

Jason T. July 27, 2026 (9:16 am)

The data is really interesting. I find it sad that the WSBlog is not directly sharing the parking study info directly because the data shows that our Junction’s parking is super full https://www.seattle.gov/documents/Departments/SDOT/ParkingProgram/CAPP/West%20Seattle%20Junction%20Curbspace%20Review%20-%20July%202026.pdf

Mike B July 28, 2026 (11:19 am)

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Also interesting the data collected in the Junction study area that you’re sharing shows that while free, on-street parking is between 80% and 90% full (~550 of 654), paid off-street parking is only 20%-30% full (159/636) at most.

Therefore, at any given time, about 710 of the total 1,290 Junction-area spaces are occupied, which means approximately 45% of parking spaces in the study area are available for parking, even during busiest times. This same data shows the overall condition of all parking indicates Junction area parking is not “super full” as there is still significant availability in paid lots. This includes several large lots with accessible that are closer to businesses than on-street parking. The full parking picture is important, not just free spaces.

Tony July 27, 2026 (9:19 am)

YES for paid parking!

JW July 27, 2026 (9:40 am)

The magic word was FREE. Not so anymore! With all the apartments around the area and NO off street parking for these people, parking is at a premium. Now SDOT wants more money. How about going after all the expired license tabs to help pay for road maintenance? Could fix quite a few pot holes!!!!JW

KP July 27, 2026 (10:46 am)

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Just as many Rivians, Teslas and luxury vehicles not paying tabs. That’s a chunk of change

North Admiral Cyclist July 27, 2026 (10:47 am)

We need the city to charge for street parking, otherwise the local freeloaders will monopolize the use of a public asset. A parking space is a very valuable asset, just compare the cost of a condo or apartment that comes with or without its own parking space. Personally, I wish the city would install bike corrals in a few parking spaces, so bicyclists have a place to park. When I visit the bakery, I’m parking in essentially a “tree” space so I can keep my bike in eyesight and don’t block the skinny sidewalk.

New Deal July 27, 2026 (1:57 pm)

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Let’s also put time limits along Harbor Avenue so it stops subsidizing the water taxi. 2 hour parking so those of us going to use the trail and park can actually find a spot.

HDunham July 27, 2026 (11:37 am)

I’ve lived in Seattle for over 30 years, and I’ve watched our neighborhood change. After looking through the parking study, I think the data speaks for itself. When so many blocks are full and people are circling to find a space, that’s a sign the current system isn’t working as well as it should. The study makes it clear that better parking management is needed, and I hope the City follows the data. I’m not sure why the WSB has not made the study data a highlight in their posts or made it easy for others to find it by including a direct link to the data, images of the data, or even summarizing the data. But I hope our community does its due diligence and thinks before making opinions. We need data informed opinions here, not feelings.

WSB July 27, 2026 (12:01 pm)

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Thanks to everyone who wants to critique what we do or don’t include in stories. Linking is something we do as much of as possible, even in this day and age when it’s almost been killed off by the non-link-friendly social media preponderance. The first story we did on this was crashed out because I happened onto the mention of the survey and ongoing review process quietly dropped by SDOT in a blog post before a holiday weekend; last time they reviewed this subject, it was announced widely, with briefings for the community. It had what I thought it needed to have in order for me to rush it out. (SDOT eventually sent an announcement some days later.) This blurb last night was a simple reminder “the survey closes today.” Yes, there are always more links, more words, that could be added to stories. I hope people will always further explore all the sites to which we link – as the critiquers here obviously did – TR
- Andrew July 27, 2026 (12:20 pm)
  
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  I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that most (if not all) WSB posts are accurate, complete, objective and very much appreciated. I roll my eyes to all the naysayers that view this blog as their “right” to low friction information access, not a privilege.
  
  To my neighbors- If the post is “missing” something you want to know more about, look it up
  
  Thank you TR for your continued service to the West Seattle community!
Lauren July 27, 2026 (1:49 pm)

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I’ve lived here for 40 years, and for the most part appreciate the changes to our neighborhood. More housing, more services, more restaurants, more events. Sincerely, I think it’s great.

WSB July 27, 2026 (12:15 pm)

Also a reminder: One user name per person per comment thread, please. You want to call yourself something different in another thread, fine, but not in the same thread. Thank you!

Scarlett July 27, 2026 (12:22 pm)

Who’s going to be discouraged from parking too long and thereby freeing up parking for others? I seriously doubt it’ll be the Rivian or Tesla driver. This is another regressive prescription from the social engineers who claim to uplifting the poor but just have a different kind of boot pushing them down. By the way, a town I visit often tried this and it was an abysmal failure; waiting for others to figure out to use the few new meters, and then having to go through the laborious process yourself wasn’t worth for a lot of would-be shoppers. They went elsewhere.

Kathy July 27, 2026 (3:05 pm)

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What is all this ragging on Rivian and Tesla drivers? This is the second negative mention. At least they are not emitting toxic fumes while driving around hunting for a space. The Rivian is rather large for city driving and parking, but they are working on putting out smaller models. Teslas are not that expensive if you get a used one. Maybe Scarlett also commented as KP? Personal axe to grind?

Lauren July 27, 2026 (1:47 pm)

I literally never fail to find parking in the junction. Sometimes I may need to circle the block. Not a big deal. I’ve never understood the cries about parking being so awful there.

Josh July 27, 2026 (1:52 pm)

I hope the 1st commenter was just having a bad day, what an unnecessary way to comment. We are so lucky to have Tracy and her team at the West Seattle Blog. Imagine if the blog didn’t exist. Be a little grateful.