New striping at Salish Crossing helps commuters identify proper parking stalls

Beginning this week, Sound Transit Sounder train commuters who leave their cars in the Salish Crossing parking lot will have an easier time identifying safe parking spaces, thanks to some new bright blue striping added over the weekend.

Last week, several commuters returning from their workday were shocked to find that their cars had been towed, prompting some to complain about what they saw as inadequate, confusing signage and that they had seen no warning that this action was imminent.

Under a 2012 agreement with Salish LLC and the City of Edmonds, Sound Transit leased 103 spaces in the Salish Crossing lot designated for commuters only to supplement the 156 existing spaces in the lot adjacent to the train station. Signage was subsequently installed, which included warnings that improperly parked vehicles would be subject to impound. But with plenty of space left in the remainder of the lot, commuters found that despite the warnings they could park pretty much anywhere without consequence.

But that was six years ago. Today, the Cascadia Museum and a growing collection of new, thriving businesses are attracting more customers and visitors to Salish Crossing, and parking has become increasingly tight. In response, Salish LLC informed Sound Transit on Jan. 5 that they would begin enforcing the posted parking restrictions to limit commuter parking to the designated stalls. Warnings including posters and windshield flyers were issued on Monday, Jan. 8, and the next day several were towed.

The new striping is bold and eye-catching, and should be a big help directing commuters to the proper spaces and avoiding the hassle and expense of having their vehicle towed.

“I have always been delighted to partner with Sound Transit and Edmonds to provide additional commuter parking,” said Nick Echelbarger of Salish LLC. “Regrettably, Salish Crossing cannot satisfy the ever-growing need for commuter parking, but we hope the new blue stripes are helpful. Sounder North takes a half hour, is very comfortable and even has a view—we should all be happy more people appreciate and utilize the service, and we’re pleased to be part of that.”

— Story and photos by Larry Vogel

  1. I am glad they are clarifying whet people can park and for seeing this in the Edmonds Beacon so I am in the know where to park. But why can’t they start with a milder penalty and forgo towing cars? A ticket with a small penalty should be enough to prevent them from doing so again in the future. It I my humble opinion $400 is still to high a price to pay for many.

    1. why not create a position of parking attendant to earn money? This would help the stores and museum keep parking free for their customers and help direct people when they try to park. I think you would pay less for a parking attendant than to get the car towed. Who is really benefiting from this $400 anyways? The city or the towing companies? Because ultimately it is the authority of the town who allows this, but it is the people in the town who say nothing and allow it.

      1. The city has nothing to do with this. That parking lot is private property and the property owner contracts with the tow company. The vehicle owners pay the tow company. I can’t imagine any reason why the property owner would pay for a parking attendant. There has been quite a bit of publicity about this and now they have done a better job of marking the allowed parking slots. There should be no more problems as long as people follow the rules.

  2. They can’t paint all they want!! After having my car towed (cost me $398), I will no longer be commuting on the train. Sound Transit could care less about this and has/offers no solution in the near future. I will either be driving to work or commuting on the E-Line. Takes me the same amount of time and won’t cost me $398 – EVER!

    AND, not everyone who’s car got towed had received prior notice as I am hearing reported a lot. That simply isn’t the truth.

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