Parking Fees and Time Limits to Be Suspended to Help Businesses

Published on December 22, 2020

In Car Dining sign on sidewalk at Marina Park with trees and lights and cars

Media Contact:                
Joy Johnston
Interim Communications Program Manager
jjohnston@kirklandwa.gov
(425) 979-6562

KIRKLAND, Wash. – To help downtown businesses, the City of Kirkland will not charge fees for parking in any of the City-owned downtown parking lots effective December 23, 2020 through March 1, 2021. During this same time period, the City will suspend enforcement of most time limitations for parking downtown. Time limitations will still be enforced for 15-minute curbside pickup spaces and stalls designated for the new Shop Local Kirkland in-car dining program located at Marina Park. Parking enforcement will continue to be in effect for vehicles parked in designated disabled parking spaces without disabled permits, as well as vehicles illegally parked in front of fire hydrants or blocking driveways or crosswalks.

“State restrictions in response to COVID-19 have been devastating for businesses that depend on in-person customer experiences,” said Kirkland City Councilmember Toby Nixon. “We must take appropriate measures to slow the spread of COVID-19, and for restaurants to reopen and for retail to operate at greater capacity. We encourage everyone to support our Kirkland businesses to help them weather this difficult time.” 

Under state restrictions, restaurants and bars are closed for indoor service, with to-go services and restricted outdoor dining allowed. In-store retail, grocery stores and personal services are limited to 25 percent of occupancy. 

To connect Kirkland businesses to customers, the City of Kirkland has created ShopLocalKirkland.com, a new digital marketplace that makes it possible to find and purchase the unique goods, gifts, food and services that Kirkland businesses offer, many with contactless pickup and delivery options. There are also newly designated in-car dining stalls at the Lakeshore Plaza Parking Lot at Marina Park. Several restaurants offer delivery to these parking stalls so diners can enjoy family-friendly, safe dining with views of the lake.

In addition to providing free downtown parking, designated curbside pickup and in-car dining spaces, and the ShopLocalKirkland.com website, the City of Kirkland distributed $1.1 million in CARES Act funds to small businesses. Earlier in 2020, the City collaborated with Google, the Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce, and Banner Bank to create the Kirkland Small Business Relief Fund which provided grants to qualifying small businesses and nonprofits. More information is available at www.kirklandwa.gov/BusinessSupportCOVID.

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