CHOKEPOINTS

Two changes that could alter Kirkland’s parking reputation

Nov 5, 2015, 4:14 PM | Updated: 5:06 pm

The city of Kirkland’s Downtown Employee Parking program provides free parking to employees w...

The city of Kirkland's Downtown Employee Parking program provides free parking to employees who work for businesses in downtown Kirkland. (AP)

(AP)

Recently, a group of friends got together to discuss a book (OK, I didn’t read it), when someone suggested we meet in Kirkland. Among six people, five vetoed the location for the same reason: Parking in Kirkland is terrible.

In an effort to fix the situation, the city is making two changes to parking.

The first involves the Downtown Employee Parking program that will now stop cheaters. The city’s program provides free parking to employees who work for businesses in downtown Kirkland. The problem is that the car decals have no expiration date, so former employees have been occupying the spaces for social reasons. The city will now collect vehicle license plate information for each of the employees who will be registered, and the employees will be provided with a new parking decal that is to be displayed on the registered vehicle.

The second change is that paid public parking will only be available during evenings and on weekends in the Park Lane and Main Street parking lot. The lot is designated as permit-only parking from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. during weekdays.

With these new parking changes maybe next time a Kirkland venue won’t get vetoed… and I’ll read the book.

Chokepoints

construction roadways weekend...

Paola Tristan Arruda, KIRO 7 News

Prepare for another weekend of major construction on three roadways

Travelers in the Puget Sound region should prepare for delays and road closures this weekend as construction takes place across I-405, SR 99, and I-5.

2 days ago

A photo of the northbound I-5 closure near Everett. (Photo courtesy of the Washington State Departm...

Jason Sutich

25-year-old man arrested after climbing, hanging from I-5 overpass near Everett

A 25-year-old man was arrested after climbing and hanging from an I-5 overpass near Everett, prompting officials to shut down all lanes in the area.

2 days ago

tiger mountain sr 18 blocked...

Jason Sutich

All lanes of SR 18 reopen after semi-truck, motorcycle collision near Tiger Mountain

All lanes of SR 18 near Tiger Mountain have reopened after a semi-truck and motorcycle collision.

2 days ago

link light rail sound transit west seattle expansion delay...

Chris Sullivan

West Seattle light rail expansion delayed another 3 years

This is not what West Seattle transit riders wanted to hear. Light rail service to the neighborhood has been delayed again.

2 days ago

bellevue i-405 i-90 ramp close...

Jason Sutich

NB I-405 ramp to EB I-90 in Bellevue reopens hours after semi carrying garbage overturned

The northbound I-405 ramp to eastbound I-90 in Bellevue is fully blocked after a semi-truck carrying garbage overturned on the roadway.

3 days ago

Sound Transit budget deficit delays...

Chris Sullivan

Sound Transit looks to double cost of property acquisition, construction support services for West Seattle expansion

Sound Transit said it needs another $765 million to acquire property and prepare for the link extension to West Seattle, but the overall budget won't change.

4 days ago

Two changes that could alter Kirkland’s parking reputation