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At-a-glance:
- A Seattle City Council budget proviso directed SDOT to use up to $175,000 of existing budget on parking adjustments in West Seattle.
- Angled parking at Duwamish Head was converted to parallel parking.
- A public survey invited community feedback regarding adding new parking to Alki Ave SW on the waterside.
- After reviewing the survey results, we will not be moving forward with installing new parking.
In response to Seattle City Council’s 2025 Budget Proviso SDOT-005-A (page 159), directing us to use up to $175,000 of existing SDOT budget on parking adjustments, we recently modified parking at Duwamish Head and explored adding new parking between the 1200 and 1700 blocks of Alki Ave SW. Here’s a quick update on the process, survey results, and final decisions.
What happened?
In June, we converted angled parking on Harbor Avenue SW at Duwamish Head to parallel parking while maintaining the 11 PM–5 AM restrictions. To address the net loss of parking spaces, the proviso allowed us to consider adding parallel parking on the waterside of Alki Avenue SW.
We conducted a survey to gather community feedback on this proposal, receiving over 880 responses from residents and visitors.
What we heard
Opinions were divided:
- Supporters saw the additional parking as a way to address accessibility issues, reduce traffic congestion caused by circling, and support local businesses. Many highlighted the difficulty visitors face in finding parking during busy times, particularly people with mobility challenges or children.
- Opponents raised concerns about environmental impacts, increased traffic, and the loss of Alki’s pedestrian-friendly charm. Some suggested alternative solutions like improving public transportation, adding bike lanes, or turning parking areas into green spaces or public amenities.
The outcome
After reviewing survey responses and public input, we decided not to move forward with adding parking to the waterside of Alki Ave SW. The proviso directing SDOT’s existing budget to implement changes is limited to parking adjustments, so nothing further is planned at this time.
Duwamish Head parking changes
While the survey did not specifically ask about Duwamish Head, the transition from angled to parallel parking at Duwamish Head prompted some feedback. Some commenters were concerned about the reduced number of parking spaces, while others appreciated the improved safety and reduced street clutter.
Thank you for your input
We’re grateful to everyone who shared their thoughts. Your input was valuable in guiding this decision. For those interested, a full summary of comments is available for review.