I was proud to announce with Mayor Jenny Durkan a new Hospital Staff Parking Permit program which will allow access to free on-street parking around hospitals and testing sites for health care workers. The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), Seattle Police Department (SPD), and Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) worked urgently to meet the increased need for employee parking near these critical locations as health care workers drive to work in order to minimize their exposure to COVID-19. The new permit program will be initially available to staff at Harborview Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Swedish Medical Center (Cherry Hill and First Hill campuses) and Virginia Mason Medical Center.
“I commend Mayor Durkan and our Seattle Department of Transportation for listening to health care workers and offering parking solutions that improve the ability of essential personnel to access Seattle’s medical facilities, including the hospitals in our own District 4 such as Children’s Hospital,” said Councilmember Alex Pedersen (District 4 – NE Seattle). “Prioritizing transportation options, including parking, for our brave health care workers who risk their own health and safety makes it easier for them to get where they need to be to care for our most vulnerable neighbors.”
After hearing from Harborview Hospital and Seattle Children’s Hospital on the need to allow their staff to park on-street near their facilities, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), Seattle Police Department (SPD), and Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) developed and implemented a temporary 30-day hospital-staff-only permit program on designated streets around hospitals and testing sites. Employers will distribute these temporary permits to their employees.
The temporary parking zones for health care employees will begin at select locations Monday, March 30, 2020. SDOT is working directly with representatives from these institutions to issue the permits.
To build additional capacity, SDCI temporarily suspended the parking restrictions on health care providers and essential staff necessary to health care institutions. This applies to parking garages and lots on an institution’s grounds as well as parking leased in nearby garages and lots for the same purpose.
For the Mayor’s press release, CLICK HERE.