Town Signs Lease for Downtown Parking Area

The Town of Friday Harbor is pleased to announce the execution of a lease agreement with JAC 330 Spring Street LLC that will allow the Town to operate a parking area in the Downtown core in an effort to alleviate an historic parking shortage. The parking area will be on the property that formerly housed Browne Lumber located at 330 Spring Street at the intersection with Argyle Avenue.

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JAC 330 Spring and the Town have agreed to a five-year lease which may later be terminated during the lease term should the owner wish to develop the property. In the interim, the Town will pay rent and take possession of the front portion of the property with a configuration that will create approximately 37 parking spaces. (See image at right)

The Town plan calls for free parking for up to 10 hours, a move that will allow businesses, residents and visitors the opportunity to park their cars for the day in the heart of Friday Harbor without the concerns created with time limitations for on-street parking. It is hoped that this parking will be utilized by business owners and their employees who will be in Town for extended periods freeing up valuable space for those wishing to make shorter stops.

“We have worked on a solution to our parking crunch for a long time” said Town Administrator Duncan Wilson. “While this is not a permanent fix, we hope it may lead to some opportunities in the future.” Town Mayor Carrie Lacher was also optimistic about the relief this arrangement should provide. “Over the years, this property has often been identified as an ideal location that could provide both adequate space and close-in access,” she noted. “We are very much looking forward to the significant benefits of this development. Our sincerest thanks to the Carnevali family for working with the Town to address this long-standing issue in our community.”

The Town will not be making many structural changes to the site other than to move fencing and grade the land. Parking curb stops will be installed and there will be a one-way internal circulation through the parking area. Two spaces will be reserved for disabled parking. Additional beautification and improvements will be added as time allows. “Another exciting element is that this lease will enable pedestrian traffic to use the western portion of the property to gain access to Ellsworth Avenue and Blair Avenue, providing relief to another long-standing transportation issue” said Wilson.

The Town crew is currently working on site preparation and hopes to open the site for public use shortly after the parade on July 4th. Wilson asks for everyone’s patience while the final touches and signage are added over the next several months.

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