Business and community groups are invited to submit applications to the city for a “parklet” – privately-funded and maintained structures that convert on-street parking spots into public spaces. The pilot program is through the Seattle Department of Transportation’s Public Space Management Program.
The Pilot Parklet Program was launched in summer 2013 with the opening of the Montana Bar parklet on Capitol Hill and the approval of parklets in Belltown and Chinatown/International District. The pilot program explores how well parklets serve Seattle neighborhoods; extending the program through 2014 will allow SDOT to evaluate parklets in diverse neighborhoods and various conditions before making recommendations on a permanent program.
Five new parklets will be permitted during this second phase of the pilot program. Application guidelines are available on the Seattle Pilot Parklet Program website, along with additional resources to help interested parties identify a potential parklet location. All application materials must be emailed to [email protected] by 5 p.m. on Feb. 28, 2014.
Applications will be evaluated based on the parklet’s potential to successfully activate the right-of-way and provide a valuable public space; how well the proposed parklet location would complement the surrounding neighborhood and street context; and demonstrated community support. SDOT is requesting that parklet hosts have resources available to complete the design, construction, and installation of their parklet by June 2014.
SDOT’s website has pictures of other parklets around the world, to help spark ideas.
