North Mercer Park-and-Ride problems

I park at the North Mercer Park-and-Ride structure daily. This morning, it was almost full by 8:30. I have noticed that during the day some cars park in unmarked areas, for which they have recently been receiving parking violation notices. I have also observed that a great many of the cars leaving in the late afternoon, when I do, turn onto I-90 eastbound, which causes me to believe that they are not Mercer Island residents. Additionally, I have spoken with a woman who lives in Redmond and regularly parks at the Mercer Island facility because, she says, the bus service is more frequent than a park-and-ride near her home. I realize that all King County residents contribute to financing park-and-ride lots and the public transit systems serving those lots. I do think, however, that Mercer Island residents should get some preference in using the MI lot, at least until better park-and-ride facilities are constructed elsewhere, such as closer to the home of the Redmond woman who now drives to MI. Is it possible to reserve one of the two floors of the Park-and-Ride structure for MI residents, with those from MI having a sticker on their car identifying their residence? With the price of gasoline and Seattle parking, I believe that the demand for parking at the MI Park-and-Ride will only increase and ask that MI residents be assured of access to the facility.

October 21, 2008 5:44 pm

I park at the North Mercer Park-and-Ride structure daily. This morning, it was almost full by 8:30. I have noticed that during the day some cars park in unmarked areas, for which they have recently been receiving parking violation notices. I have also observed that a great many of the cars leaving in the late afternoon, when I do, turn onto I-90 eastbound, which causes me to believe that they are not Mercer Island residents. Additionally, I have spoken with a woman who lives in Redmond and regularly parks at the Mercer Island facility because, she says, the bus service is more frequent than a park-and-ride near her home. I realize that all King County residents contribute to financing park-and-ride lots and the public transit systems serving those lots. I do think, however, that Mercer Island residents should get some preference in using the MI lot, at least until better park-and-ride facilities are constructed elsewhere, such as closer to the home of the Redmond woman who now drives to MI. Is it possible to reserve one of the two floors of the Park-and-Ride structure for MI residents, with those from MI having a sticker on their car identifying their residence? With the price of gasoline and Seattle parking, I believe that the demand for parking at the MI Park-and-Ride will only increase and ask that MI residents be assured of access to the facility.

Mark Marshall