Kirkland City Council’s Parking Money Grab
At its July 7 study session, the Kirkland City Council took up a parking pricing study — and it raises a question that goes beyond where you leave your car.
The city says the goal isn't revenue. "I don't think the goal here is to generate major revenue streams," Councilmember Shilpa Prem said. But the meeting packet does put a number on the table: staff's four pricing options total roughly $2.6 million a year in potential net revenue — on top of the more than $731,000 the city collected from 19,000-plus parking citations downtown and at the waterfront in 2025.
What's actually on the table
Kirkland charges just $1/hour in two downtown lots today — a rate set in 1994 — while the Peter Kirk garage and most other parking are free. The study would change that in phases.
Downtown lots to about $2/hour, plus waterfront charging, in 2027.
On-street parking and the garage later, in 2028.
Option 2 would charge at all seven waterfront parks — a suggested $3/hour, summers only — and would start charging on Sundays, which are free today.
No new parking is being added. This is about managing the spaces that already exist, where data shows drivers circling for a free spot.
Why this matters in Kirkland
Some of the council's own members flagged the tradeoffs. Councilmembers Arnold and Falcone worried about spillover into surrounding neighborhoods. Councilmember Jon Pascal put the parks piece plainly: "It feels odd to penalize them to access parks" — parks residents already pay for through their taxes.
There's a local cautionary tale, too. Nearby Juanita Village added paid parking in its private lots, then removed it after merchants said sales dropped 30–40%; the lots have stayed full since the signs came down.
And here's the accountability question. No community engagement has happened yet — and the city manager acknowledged the coming outreach "won't be as robust as we'd like," because of budget-season timing. Residents are being asked for input only after the direction is set.
This isn't really about a few dollars an hour. It's about whether meaningful public input comes before the decision or after it.
The council gave staff direction but took no vote — so there's still time to weigh in. Contact the City Council and tell them what you think. It takes about three minutes.
