To support access to the Seattle businesses opening up for curbside delivery, we are rolling out new curbside priority pick-up zones.
The State of Washington’s phased approach to re-opening now allows retail stores to re-open for curbside pick-up. To support these businesses, we are installing temporary 15-minute loading zones to facilitate reliable customer access for pick-ups.
The 15-minute time limit gives people a chance to quickly and safely pick up purchases, while ensuring frequent parking turnover so the locations remain reliably available for use.
“We know that defeating COVID-19 and economic recovery 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,” said Mayor Jenny Durkan. “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. I encourage all our Seattle residents to shop local and patronize your local shops. We will get through this together.”
“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’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. As we await more financial support from our federal government, our local government should continue to do everything we can to enable small businesses to generate the economic activity needed to increase revenue and rehire workers to benefit our entire city.”
The Curbside Priority Pick-Up program builds off the success of our Food Priority Pick-Up program.
Since mid-March, we have installed over 700 3-minute temporary Food Priority Pick-Up Zones at over 400 restaurants. This is one of the many ways that Seattle has temporarily changed parking regulations and enforcement including suspending paid parking and time limit enforcement.
“Being flexible with our curbspace 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. We have heard from many restaurant owners how curbside pick-up zones have helped their business and we are glad we can extend a similar program to support retail. Throughout this pandemic and as we find and adapt to new challenges, SDOT has and will continue to be nimble and innovative in our approach to these complex challenges.” – Sam Zimbabwe, Director of the Seattle Department of Transportation.
Curbside priority pick-up zones will be marked by easels with a 15-minute load sign and blue curbside pick-up priority sign attached.
“Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to better serve our customers. This is such an unusual event, and changing our whole business model to ‘Curbside’ is very complex. This will definitely aid in supporting our customers’ ability to shop with us.” – Chet James, owner of Super Jock ‘n Jill near Green Lake
Interested in having a Curbside Priority Pick-Up Zone near your business? Here’s what you need to know:
- Businesses can call or email 684-ROAD to request a Curbside Priority Pick-Up Zone. They should provide business name, address and contact information.
- Staff will review requested locations to make sure a new zone will fit within the nearby curb regulations. Generally, we will install one new zone per block, so it may need to be located where it can serve several stores on the block.
- Curbside Priority Pick-Up Zone signs are not assigned to specific businesses, and can be used among several businesses along the block
- Approved signs should be installed within a few days of a request. If a new zone cannot be installed, SDOT staff will follow up with businesses to consider alternatives.
“After two months of temporary closures, this week, we will begin reopening our stores. Here in Seattle and in many other places, ‘opening’ means curbside service for orders placed online, and the city has been a great partner to help enable that,” said Eric Artz, president and CEO at REI, the Seattle-based outdoor retailer. “As we begin to reopen stores, we are taking precautions to protect the health and safety of our employees, customers and communities.”
Check out the website for more details.
For more information or to request a pick-up zone, contact us at 206-684-ROAD or 684-ROAD@seattle.gov.