Crews will soon begin installing metered parking on many of the city's free curbside parking spaces in an effort to move residents away from private cars.
"Next month, Seattle crews plan to begin installing pay stations for 2,600 curbside spots in the South Lake Union neighborhood, most of which are now free. The city is trying a different game plan -- and set of rules -- for those spots, which may set the tone for parking restrictions throughout Seattle.
It's the latest in an incremental but sweeping plan to get Seattleites out of their cars. Officials say cheap and easy parking encourages driving, and commuters who search for it create their own congestion.
City Hall's strategy is to offer just enough parking to keep shoppers and diners coming to neighborhood businesses, yet keep it scarce enough to push those who work there onto buses, sidewalks or bicycles."
"Some neighborhood activists complain that the city's goals are unrealistic, at least until there's more convenient public transportation in Seattle.
"The city's living in a planner's fantasy that ... if you make it hard to park people will magically walk or ride their bike," said Matt Fox, a longtime activist in the University District, where the city has substantially reduced free parking.
"Until the transit alternatives are in place, I think this is a punitive approach that's going to make people's lives really miserable." "
FULL STORY: Seattle's strategy to solve parking pinch: Squeeze commuters
Amtrak Ramping Up Infrastructure Projects
Thanks to federal funding from the 2021 infrastructure act, the agency plans to triple its investment in infrastructure improvements and new routes in the next two years.
Ending Downtown San Francisco’s ‘Doom Loop’
A new public space project offers an ambitious vision—so why is the city implementing it at such a small scale?
Proposal Would Transform L.A.’s ‘Freeway to Nowhere’ Into Park, Housing
A never-completed freeway segment could see new life as a mixed-use development with housing, commercial space, and one of the county’s largest parks.
Santa Cruz Transit Looks to Expand
A small transit agency in Northern California is making ambitious expansion plans.
Advancing Park Equity Through Needs Assessments
City Parks Alliance, in partnership with Prevention Institute, recently hosted a webinar about park equity and collaboration, focusing on the Los Angeles Countywide Parks Needs Assessment.
California Impact Fees Reach Supreme Court
An upcoming ruling could have a major impact on building and development in California and around the country.
Alta Planning + Design
Alta Planning + Design
City of Kyle
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Washington University
Mpact: Mobility, Community, Possibility
City of Helena
Lassen County Planning and Building Services
City of San Carlos
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
