September 13, 2013 · Exit133

Changes Coming to Parking in Downtown Tacoma

Some changes are coming to parking in downtown Tacoma, and some of you aren't going to like them. We noticed this note this morning on the City's homepage:

Downtown’s popularity, particularly the University of Washington -Tacoma area, generally Pacific and Jefferson avenues from 17th to 21st streets, has exceeded expectations.

Therefore, on Sept. 20, area parking time limits will shorten to 90 minutes and extend until 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. In addition, the “Saturday Special” (which allows visitors to pay $1.50 for all-day parking throughout downtown), will no longer apply in this area.

Exactly three years ago, paid parking came to downtown Tacoma to ensure parking turnover so that even those coming into downtown for a few minutes to visit a business or friend could find a space. It was, and still is, designed to encourage those staying longer to use alternative transportation or off-street parking options.

Rates stay the same - 75 cents per hour.

The City will begin launching a targeted public education effort which echoes the campaign used to launch the program three years ago on Friday, Sept. 13.

Same rates. Shorter parking times. No more all-day-Saturday parking. Can you make that work?

Are you ready for a little change in your parking?

Filed under: Downtown Tacoma, Neighborhoods, Parking

6 comments

Joel Larson September 13, 2013

In talking to several of the shop owners along that stretch, parking becomes an issue during the academic year when students will come and park and continue to feed the meter, or not care and get a ticket. The 90-minute time limit will be interesting since most classes run 125 minutes.
tacoma1 September 13, 2013

To paraphrase Yogi Berra: "nobody goes to that part of town anymore... it's too crowded"
Fred davie September 13, 2013

Really surprised that the young people still prefer to drive cars to school. Here we've been spending $15K per year per student in public education all the while teaching them about how wonderful public transit is and how evil the auto is. Interesting to see how naturally unappealing socialism is to thoughtful people.
Christine September 13, 2013

I see the need for these changes and know that it won't be popular. I do think that it is a step in the right direction, especially if one reads and understands the study done by Donald Shoup of UCLA Department of Urban Planning. Since the new meters are easily programmed, the parking time limit can be flexed according to need for change in each area of the city. More changes to come? Hopefully so.
Published Author RR Anderson September 14, 2013

as a small business job creator located on PAC ave in front of a fire hydrant... red curbs don't mean Aloha Cab pickup/drop off !
Published Author RR Anderson September 14, 2013

I'll miss that Saturday Special, parking the tinkermobile out front all day. le sigh