How Pike Place Market's car limits are working so far
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A flagger now turns many cars away at this entrance to Pike Place Market. Photo: Melissa Santos/Axios
As Pike Place Market's crackdown on cars enters its third month, how well the pilot program is working depends on whom you ask.
Why it matters: The vehicle restrictions have transformed the pedestrian experience in the market and could become permanent — but some vendors say the changes have been bad for business.
Catch up quick: In April, the Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority started banning most cars from entering the market at First Avenue and Pike Street during the daytime.
- Officials also limited street parking in the area.
The latest: The experiment was partly to reduce conflicts between pedestrians and cars during ongoing roadwork at Stewart Street, which has narrowed the walkable area through part of the market.
- But officials now plan to continue the experiment beyond when that construction is scheduled to wrap up later this summer, KING 5 reports.
What they're saying: "We've been hearing a lot of positive feedback about the pilot overall, and we're continuing to make improvements," Madison Douglas of the Pike Place Market development authority told Axios.
- For instance, market officials initially limited daily vehicle traffic starting at 8am. But they shifted to a 10am start time after business owners said their customers found it difficult to "quickly drive in and pick up their usual groceries," Douglas said.
The other side: Mike Osborn, the co-owner of Sosio's Produce in the market, told KING 5 that regular customers still are avoiding the market because of the traffic restrictions, which could drive longtime businesses out.
- Customers "aren't coming because they don't want to hassle with it ... they feel like they're breaking the law," Sosio told KING 5 last week.
💠My thought bubble: During recent visits to the market on foot, I've noticed that the many visitors stopping to take selfies seem far less at risk of being hit by cars.
- I've also found it more enjoyable than before to visit in the afternoons — when the market is at its busiest — since people can now spread into the roadway.
- The crowds aren't as tightly packed onto the narrow sidewalks or quite as crammed into the market hall.
What's next: Douglas said the market authority is "continuing to monitor street activity on busy weekends and may adjust closure times as needed."
