Curbside priority pick-up zones coming soon for Seattle retail

Similar to the curbside pick-up zones established in Seattle for restaurant takeout, Mayor Jenny Durkan announced that the Seattle Department of Transportation will begin to install temporary curbside priority pick-up zones for retail businesses.

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The zones are intended to create safe, easy access to retail businesses that are open for pick-up.

“We know that defeating COVID-19 and helping our economy recover will be a long process. That is why we are increasing our support to businesses in Seattle by creating priority pick up zones so residents can do their shopping remotely and pick up from our local businesses,” Durkan said.

“During this unprecedented time, it remains the City’s top priority to keep people healthy and safe, and we will continue to explore ways to turn the dial on reopening that don’t reverse the progress we’ve made to flatten the curve,” she continued. “I encourage all our Seattle residents to shop local and patronize your local shops.”

If guidelines are met, retails store in Washington state are allowed to be open for curbside pick-up as part of Phase 1 of the governor’s “Safe Start” approach to reopening.

These retail pickup zones will be 15-minute loading zones to allow customer access for retail pickup, building on the zones created for local restaurants. More than 400 restaurants have three-minute temporary food pick-up zones in front of their businesses, installed in mid-March.

Durkan’s release said the extended 15-minute time limit for retail spaces should allow people a chance to pick up their purchases and ensure frequent turnover of the spaces. The zones will be marked with a easel with an attached blue pickup priority sign.

“We are eager to have more small businesses in our neighborhoods open their doors safely and effectively, as the Governor cautiously authorizes more of our state economy to restart,” said Councilmember Alex Pedersen, who chairs the City Council’s Transportation & Utilities Committee. “After creating 3-minute parking zones for takeout meals from neighborhood restaurants, I support our Seattle Department of Transportation taking the initiative to create more and longer loading zones near our retail stores. ”

SDOT head Sam Zimbabwe said many restaurant owners have reported that the curbside zones have helped their businesses.

“Being flexible with our curb space and making it easier for people to shop at our local businesses is one way SDOT can support the Seattle community on our shared path towards recovery,” Zimbabwe said.

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Seattle has implemented a number of new parking regulations and enforcement during the pandemic, including the suspension of paid parking and time limit enforcement.

For businesses interested in requesting a curbside pick-up zone, find more information on the SDOT blog. SDOT says it will review requested locations to make sure the new zone will fit. Generally, one zone will be installed per block, able to serve several businesses.