Alki Car-Free Day: Door-hangers on the way this week

| Environment | Transportation | West Seattle news

As promised, we checked with SDOT this morning to inquire about plans for further advance warning of residents in the September 7th (noon-6 pm) Alki Car-Free Day closure zone (here’s the city info page, with map – as shown atop this post), given the Capitol Hill uproarlet over towing before yesterday’s rain-shortened Car-Free Day up there. SDOT communications boss Rick Sheridan quickly sent this reply — bottom line, Alki Ave residents, watch your doorknobs:

The city will follow the same procedures that typically occur for all street closures. “No Parking” signs, with the day and times noted, will be put out on the Friday before the event. SDOT will also distribute door hangers in the neighborhood this week that will warn of the impending event and highlight the parking restrictions. Those restrictions will cover the entire stretch of the road.

Let us know when you see one of those doorhangers, k? (editor@westseattleblog.com)

WSratsinacage August 25, 2008 (1:19 pm)

Hope it doesn’t rain.

me August 25, 2008 (2:22 pm)

I wish there were permanent car free areas in West Seattle, I would move there.

Al August 25, 2008 (2:39 pm)

Portland did this so much better:
http://bikeportland.org/2008/06/22/thousands-of-smiles-mark-success-of-sunday-parkways/

Don’t tow people’s cars! Let residents park there and limit access to residents only. There’s no way you’ll get this going if you penalize the residents! And I’m an avid bicyclist. Seattle’s messing this up big time.

JanS August 25, 2008 (3:25 pm)

There are quite a few beach houses in that area that don’t seem to have a lot of off street parking, and I feel that they shouldn’t be penalized for this. Other than that I think it’s a good idea, just perhaps not thought out well by the planners. It’ll be interesting to see how this weekend’s goes.

Vanessa C. August 25, 2008 (3:33 pm)

So what happens with the all the businesses that depend on us who live 15 miles away and need to park on Alki? We then crowd the neighbors for parking who already have to clammer for space? This was a good idea gone bad. I sympathize for all of the businesses that will suffer a huge drop in business that day.

shihtzu August 25, 2008 (3:38 pm)

I think the success of this is weather dependent. We plan on going, and if it were a really sunny day I could see throngs heading to Alki this day. If raining though, eh, I hardly go there when it’s raining and I live a 10 min walk away.

credmond August 25, 2008 (3:54 pm)

Feet First, the area’s pedestrian advocacy group feetfirst.info will be somewhere on Alki handing out West Seattle Trails maps as well as maps to the CD, Beacon Hill, CapHill, Burien, Delridge, and other local ‘hoods.

Sustainable West Seattle will also be there, again, somewhere along Alki, handing out information on how to use small steps to make your local life a bit more sustainable, including how to eat local (well, pick the fruit off your trees, for one!).

grr August 25, 2008 (3:54 pm)

this has GOT to be one of THE lamest ideas I’ve ever heard of. I feel sorry for the people who own business there. Hopefully it’ll be a downpour and it will just be a ‘normal’ slow day.

Dawn August 25, 2008 (3:57 pm)

im with grrr… lame, and why am i told where i can and cant drive when i live there and pay taxes?

Vanessa C. August 25, 2008 (5:21 pm)

…with a little egg on my face, I didn’t realize it was only from noon to 6pm….that’s not so bad. Sorry.

Admiral Janeway August 25, 2008 (7:17 pm)

Reminds me of “Bicycle Sundays” when I was a kid, except they didn’t tow cars away.

Rick August 26, 2008 (7:06 am)

I lived on Alki for 15 years almost 20 years ago and watched so much of the parking dissapear and lots of new development. Now Greg wants to ban beach fires and eliminate cars (except for residents). I think I’m seeing a trend here. Makes it kinda difficult for families with small children access to the beach. Unless you live there. Great.

db August 26, 2008 (9:29 am)

How about if the door hangers could be put in your cars and used as a parking permit of sorts for the locals? As far as everyone else…. there are plenty of side streets to park on for those 6 hours…..

Sorry, comment time is over.