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Judkins Park Restricted Parking Zone Proposal – Join our September 25 Virtual Hearing to Learn More & Share Your Thoughts 

A rendering of the future Judkins Park light rail station in Seattle, scheduled to open in late 2025. Image credit: Sound Transit

Blog stats: 700 words | 4-minute read


At-a-glance:

  • We’re proposing a new Restricted Parking Zone in the Judkins Park neighborhood and want to hear from you.
  • We’re hosting a virtual public hearing on September 25 at 6 PM where you can learn more and share your feedback. You can also email us anytime at JudkinsParkLR@seattle.gov or call 206-615-0479.
  • The new Judkins Park Light Rail Station is planned to open in late 2025. We are proposing changes to street parking to reduce all-day parking near the station by light rail commuters. This will help lower carbon emissions, air pollution, and traffic congestion.
  • We’ve successfully implemented similar Restricted Parking Zones near light rail stations since the first stations opened in 2009. Our most recent example of this was around the Roosevelt Station, which opened in fall 2021.
  • Our project goals are to:
    • Encourage walking, biking, and using public transit
    • Prioritize parking for residents
    • Provide short-term parking for visitors to businesses, schools, and parks
  • We conducted a survey earlier this year to hear directly from the community about our initial plan.
    • 84% of respondents support our project goals and 75% of residents surveyed agree with creating a Restricted Parking Zone.
  • Based on the feedback we received, we’ve refined the plan. You’ll find more details in this blog post. We look forward to connecting with you in the coming weeks.

Our proposed plan

  • We’re proposing a new Restricted Parking Zone (RPZ) within a quarter-mile of the future Judkins Park Light Rail Station.
  • RPZ signs will limit parking to 2 hours from 7 AM to 6 PM, Monday to Friday, unless you have a permit.
  • We’re also proposing 2- or 4-hour parking limits during the daytime next to non-residential places like businesses, schools, churches, and parks.
  • We plan to establish new load zones where they’re needed for easy loading and unloading of people and goods.
  • We’ll also evaluate street conditions and restrict parking near crosswalks and intersections as needed, to help drivers and pedestrians see each other when traveling.

Based on public feedback, we’ve adjusted the plan. We expanded the area by one block north and are proposing one large zone instead of two smaller ones.

Map of the proposed Restricted Parking Zone area in the Judkins Park area, shown in a hatched blue area. The northern limits are at S Dearborn St, the southern limits at S Holgate St, the eastern limits just west of Martin Luther King Jr Way S, and the western edge near Sturgus Ave S. I-90, Rainier Ave S, and the future Judkins Park light rail station are also shown on the map. A small segment is also shown in light orange where RPZ 17 segment would join the new RPZ.
Map of the proposed Restricted Parking Zone (RPZ) near Judkins Park and the future Judkins Park Light Rail Station. Graphic: SDOT

What we’ve heard so far

In February, we shared our initial plan and asked for your feedback through an online survey.

  • 84% of respondents support our project goals
  • 75% of residents surveyed agree with creating a Restricted Parking Zone

We want your input on the refined plan

We will hold a virtual public hearing about our new parking plan for the area around the future Judkins Park Light Rail Station. We will explain our plan, answer your questions, and listen to your comments.

Virtual Public Hearing Details

  • Date: September 25, 2024
  • Time: 6 PM
  • Location: Virtual (online) via Microsoft Teams

To learn more and sign up for the hearing, visit: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/judkinspark

A van and other vehicles travel on the street next to a bike lane and bus stop. A person wearing a blue shirt walks on the sidewalk to the right. Large trees are visible throughout the photo.
People travel along MLK Jr Way S near S Massachusetts St. The MLK Jr Way S Safety Project recently completed several safety and mobility improvements in this area. Photo: SDOT

Why we need a new parking plan

The new Judkins Park Light Rail Station is planned to open in late 2025. We want to reduce all-day parking near the station by light rail commuters, while maintaining access for residents and visitors to businesses and other community destinations, such as parks and schools.

We want to do the following:

  • Encourage walking, biking, and using public transit to reduce traffic congestion and reduce air pollution
  • Prioritize parking for residents
  • Provide short-term parking for visitors to businesses, schools, and parks
Elementary school kids run around on a concrete soccer court with four older adults/kids in neon green vests. The court has half walls with colorful graffiti art. A black fence surrounds the court.
Kids play soccer at Judkins Park. Photo credit: Seattle Parks & Recreation and Puget Sound Futsal via Flickr.com.

Thank you for your time, input, and engagement on this proposal regarding parking and access for a variety of transportation needs in the Judkins Park area and surrounding communities.