HomeMy WebLinkAbout123014_City Center Garage Parking website: http://rentonwa.gov
City of Renton - 1055 South Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057
December 30, 2014
For more information contact:
Peter Renner, Facilities Director 425-430-6605
Preeti Shridhar, Deputy Public Affairs Administrator 425-430-6569
City’s Response to Metro Reducing Number of Park and Ride Stalls at City Parking Garage
Renton, WA: The City of Renton has recently heard from customers who have expressed
concern about Metro’s proposed reduction in the number of stalls that they are making
available at the City Center Parking Garage for customers using the park and ride. When it was
time to renew their annual contract with the City of Renton, Metro decided to reduce the
number of stalls they would lease from 200 to 150 effective in 2015 and have subsequently
posted flyers around the garage that have resulted in customer concerns.
“We would like to emphasize that this decision has been made by Metro and not the City of
Renton,” said Peter Renner, Facilities Director. “The rates that the city offers Metro for the
stalls in the parking garage are below market rates and significantly less than the rates Metro
pays for stalls in other cities such as Kenmore, Issaquah and Federal Way.”
The City of Renton considers investing in transportation options as a vital part of its economic
infrastructure and has partnered with Sound Transit and Metro to subsidize mass transit.
Unlike in other cities where Metro has invested in park and ride infrastructure and has built and
maintained parking garages, the park and ride facility in Renton was built by the city and is
currently being paid for by Renton residents. The city currently charges Metro a monthly rate
of $30 per stall, which is lower than the current market rate of $42 per stall. Metro also pays
rates as high as $96 in other cities.
“We are currently exploring options for the city to provide monthly parking to Renton residents
at a rate less than or equal to what Metro currently pays us for space,” said Mayor Denis Law.
“We are also urging Metro and Sound Transit to invest in infrastructure in our city and provide
our residents with much needed services.”
Metro has informed the city that they are trying to provide adequate parking in the vicinity of
the Renton Transit Center to meet current demand, while managing their budget. They have
also secured additional spaces for park and ride users including at the Renton Park and Ride
Garage at Metropolitan Place.
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