KIRKLAND’S GREAT AMERICAN STREET NEEDS YOUR HELP
SAVE PARK LANE
Scroll For More Informaiton
Keep Park Lane Vibrant and Open for Business
The Kirkland City Council is on the verge of making significant and irreversible decisions that will greatly affect the future of small businesses on Park Lane. It is important to recognize that Park Lane thrives as Kirkland's most vibrant street precisely because of the community's strong support and patronage of these small businesses, rather than in spite of them.
Despite 100% opposition by Park Lane businesses and property owners, the City of Kirkland Staff is considering the total elimination of parking and vehicular access to shoppers, diners, deliveries, and persons with disabilities on Park Lane. It’s hard not to see this as a progressive war on cars orchestrated by decision-makers and others who lack the first-hand experience of running a small business. While they comfortably worked from home during Covid-19, small business owners poured their hearts and souls into saving and operating their establishments. Yet, these decision-makers believe they know what's best for Park Lane, dismissing the voices of those who have invested everything into our community.
Help Keep Park Lane Vibrant and Open for Business and People of All Abilities
TOTAL NUMBER OF BUSINESSES OPERATING ON PARK LANE
NUMBER OF BUSINESS OWNERS AGAINST 24/7/365 CLOSURE
Park Lane: A Vital Business Street, Not a Park
Unfortunately, proponents of the 24/7/365 closure attempt to draw false equivalences with places like Leavenworth or other towns in California and Florida, disregarding the unique characteristics of Park Lane that demand a distinct approach. Stretching across 300 feet, this bustling thoroughfare is home to 38 vibrant businesses that heavily rely on short-term parking and easy access for guests and shoppers, perfectly aligning with the nature of these establishments.
If the current business owners are opposed to these changes, it raises the question of what types of businesses will replace them once they leave. Will Park Lane experience the high vacancy rates and frequent turnover seen in other areas of Kirkland, in contrast to its current state of long-term and 100% occupancy?
When asked about the purpose or problem they are aiming to address, the city claims there is none. Instead, their objective is to “activate” Park Lane. This is quite puzzling because Park Lane is undoubtedly the most vibrant street in the central business district. Their proposed initiatives for activating the street, situated right in the heart of the central business district, seem akin to playing the role of a Cruise Director. Why jeopardize the existing liveliness in favor of envisioning what people might want to do on Park Lane, activities that have no bearing on commerce, tax collection and employment and could easily be accommodated in one of our exceptional parks?
It is important to note that in 2015, Park Lane was designed and built as a "Festival Street" after extensive public input. The original intention was never to have a permanent closure but rather to close it for occasional festivals or events. However, when inquiring about why events like the Wednesday Market are not held on Park Lane, we have been informed that there is a lack of proper infrastructure to support such events.
Unfortunately, history shows that the city is either unable or uninterested in activating Park Lane accordingly. When questioned about potential programming ideas for a closed Park Lane, the city staff offered suggestions like "speed dating," "yoga," and "star-gazing." However, if the street is to be closed 24/7/365 against the wishes of so many citizens and all business property owners, we must demand a compelling vision that outweighs the detrimental consequences that such a closure would entail.
Short-term parking is essential to the success of Park Lane businesses.
Let's find innovative solutions that strike a balance between any perceived improvements with preserving our businesses.
Weather and Accessibility Considerations
Let's face the reality of our downtown. Park Lane is a business street in the central business district, not a park. While Marina Park to the west and Peter Kirk to the east are wonderful parks, they experience minimal usage from September to June due to our weather conditions. With darkness descending before 5 PM and inclement weather prevailing, few would choose to venture onto and linger on the brick streets of Park Lane during these months.
The closure of Park Lane raises significant concerns about accessibility, particularly for older people and people with disablities. The current infrastructure and design of Park Lane provide necessary accommodations for individuals with mobility challenges, ensuring they can easily access businesses and services. However, a permanent closure would severely limit their ability to navigate the area conveniently and safely, especially when it comes to dropping off and picking up near the storefronts.
Additionally, the alleyways behind the buildings are insufficiently scaled or oriented to handle the increased flow of cars and delivery trucks that would occur if Park Lane were closed. One notable example is the alleyway south of Park Lane, which would become a one-way alley with the only exit leading in the wrong direction, through private property onto Kirkland Avenue.
Our priority should be ensuring the accessibility and convenience of Park Lane for businesses, shoppers, diners, and visitors all year round.
Furthermore, we are left questioning the implications on surrounding street traffic when the access between Lake and Main Streets is severed. What consequences to downtown traffic will arise from this decision?
We already have plenty of parks! Here, Kirkland’s Marina Park sits mostly empty on a sunny Thursday afternoon in June. 6/22/2023
Video: Witness thriving synergy between pedestrians and cars on Park Lane. This footage showcases possible safe coexistence: families, pets, ride-shares, and mobility-challenged individuals seamlessly share space. Park Lane's history: zero pedestrian-car accidents. A senior's interview echoes our collective stance against street closure. Join us to uphold accessibility, enrich lives, and businesses.
Impact on the Real Parking Problem
Kirkland already struggles with a long-standing parking problem, and permanently closing Park Lane to traffic would only exacerbate the situation. Recognizing this issue, the businesses on Park Lane proactively purchased and donated the property at Lake and Central Street for additional parking years ago. It is evident that the short supply and demand for parking persist, as evidenced by the past imposition of exorbitant fees "in lieu of parking." Cactus alone paid over $50,000 as a parking tax to help address the parking problem—and it hasn’t magically gone away.
Those who dismiss the significance of parking spaces should consider the facts. Contrary to claims that they are perpetually unavailable, a closer look at parking turnover, with the assistance of parking enforcement, reveals the true picture. A quick calculation of spaces multiplied by parking time limits provides an accurate representation of the number of people who utilize the parking on any given day. It is essential to dispel misconceptions and shed light on the actual utilization of these parking spaces. Closing Park Lane permanently would undermine the steps taken to alleviate the parking challenges our community faces.
Join Us in Shaping Kirkland’s Future
Stand with us in advocating for a thoughtful approach to Park Lane's future. Let's work together to promote practical solutions that safeguard our businesses, address parking, visibility and accessibility concerns, and honor the vibrant spirit of our downtown and those that devote their lives to serving the community.
The time is now to make our voices heard and ensure a prosperous future for Park Lane.
