Touted as a “park in parking spaces,” the city’s new “parklets” are meant to “convert an on-street parking space (or parking spaces) into a community gathering place, creating more vibrant neighborhoods and activating our streets,” according to the Seattle Department of Transportation’s website on parklets.
Modeled after San Francisco’s Parklet Program, first implemented in 2009, they often feature seating, tables and plantings in place of parking spaces. About 40 exist there, and more are added each year by application.
Seattle’s Pilot Parklet Program already has three locations slated: one in Capitol Hill (1506 E. Olive Way), sponsored by Montana Bar; the second in Belltown (2327 Second Ave.), sponsored by City Hostel Seattle; and the third in the Chinatown/International District (421 Sixth Ave.), sponsored by the local Business Improvement Area. The first two would open in August after a public-comment period; the last one would open at the end of summer. If successful, a full program of these mini-parks would start next year.
While the expressed intent to add open public space in the city is admirable, Seattle’s vision is focused solely on making more, quick money on parking spaces. And, this time, it’s no surprise that the business community is excited about it.
Businesses are essentially buying up costly and much-needed parking spaces for year-round use as unofficial, extended sidewalk cafés. While the “owners” are required to design, build and maintain the parklets for $15,000 each year, they will be used mostly to provide additional seating — only the Belltown parklet will offer anything more than passive use: game boards.
And these parklets may only take up to three parking spaces each (for now), but they are premium ones in three neighborhoods that have some of the hardest-to-find spots and highest parking rates in the city. Businesses and, ultimately, the greater community will lose from drivers who will take their money elsewhere if they can’t find that coveted parking spot.
Seattle should, instead, continue to replicate San Francisco’s earlier contribution to opening up more greenspace: National Park(ing) Day, which the city started in 2005 and came to Seattle in September 2007. On that day, residents turn city parking spaces into actual greenspace, complete with grass (real or otherwise). Besides the usual seating and plantings, some sponsors turn their spots into free health clinics, temporary urban farms and even wedding venues.
If the city’s real objective was to provide more open space for public use, then more than mere spaces for parking one’s rear end should be required.
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