These changes in downtown Gig Harbor are meant to make parking easier, including a map
The city of Gig Harbor is working to make parking downtown easier.
The city said in a Facebook post earlier this month that it “is aware of the parking challenges associated with the opening of the” 7 Seas Taproom Sept. 27.
7 Seas did not immediately respond to the Gateway’s request for comment. The taproom at 2905 Harborview Dr. has a parking lot with about 20 stalls. There’s also street parking on Harborview Drive.
“Our Public Works, Engineering, Code Enforcement, and Police Departments collaborated to come up with a plan to reduce confusion for those looking to patronize 7 Seas, while respecting the surrounding neighborhood and ensuring safe roadway travel in the area,” the city’s Facebook post said.
Residents can expect changes to the parking situation in the coming weeks, the city said in the post.
When asked for additional information, Public Works Director Jeff Langhelm told the Gateway the city is addressing two separate parking issues.
The first is parking right at 7 Seas.
“The city and 7 Seas are working together to clarify a ‘no parking’ area along the 7 Seas property frontage,” Langhelm said.
Before 7 Seas arrived there was shoulder space that drivers could park along, where they were not blocking traffic.
When 7 Seas went in, they added sidewalk, curb, and gutter for safety and access per requirements of Public Works Standards, Langhelm said.
Drivers are still trying to park along the former shoulder space, but with the sidewalk there cars are blocking traffic.
On the weekend visitors can park in the parking lot of the nearby Timberland Bank, and Monday through Friday anytime after 5 p.m., a senior vice president of the bank said on Facebook.
There’s also public parking behind the bank.
A second issue the city is addressing is signage downtown to clarify where drivers can park near the Old Ferry Landing Park, down the street from 7 Seas.
“The city is rectifying parking signage along Harborview Drive near the city’s Old Ferry Landing Park,” Langhelm said.
Right now there’s parking allowed there, but it’s a little confusing, Langhelm said.
The city will make it more clear exactly where drivers can park along the Old Ferry Landing with signs and pavement markings, similar to parking stalls.
The city also developed a new tool to help visitors find parking in downtown Gig Harbor.
The online interactive public parking map shows public parking lots, public street parking with marked stalls, unmarked public street parking, and charging stations for electric cars.
This story was originally published October 22, 2023 at 5:30 AM.
