Leavenworth explores new parking options for residents, employees

LEAVENWORTH —  Leavenworth’s Parking Advisory Committee (PAC) is in the process of developing two new parking programs that would benefit downtown employees and residents beyond city limits.

Both programs are still in development, and committee members say details may change as they continue refining the proposal.

“We're not promising we're going to roll anything out for several more months, because we want feedback. We want people to point out things that we haven't considered,” said City Administrator Matthew Selby during the Nov. 20 PAC meeting.

For residents, the committee is considering a new rate structure for residents living within the Upper Valley Park and Recreation Service Area (PRSA), a taxing district that funds the Howard Hopkins Memorial Pool. The PRSA Boundary includes the City of Leavenworth, and extends out a portion of the Chumstick Highway, Icicle Road and East Leavenworth Road, and a portion of Peshastin, with most properties located just west of Highway 97.

“If we had just done the city of Leavenworth…We wouldn't reach our community the way we're trying to. Part of this program wasn't about people that lived downtown. It was about people that lived outside of the area, in a certain area, to be able to allow them to come in and shop and have some fun,” said Parking Program Supervisor Shannon Lemons.

Under the proposed program, residents would pay $1 an hour for the first three hours for on-street parking and city operated lots, regardless of time and date. After three hours, rates would revert back to the standard market rate (this would apply to lots only, as on-street parking is limited to three hours total).

To be eligible, residents would need to provide proof of address, such as a current utility bill or lease agreement, verification of full-time residency such as a voter registration or local identification card, and vehicle registration that matches the PRSA address. License plates would then be registered in the city’s system.

For downtown employees, the committee is considering a $50 per-month parking permit. Permit holders would be able to park on a first-come, first serve basis at select lots – which are tentatively Dragontail, Freund, Glacier, and Horseshoe Lake – without being subject to time restrictions or hourly fees. This permit would be valid all days and times, with the exception of the city’s prohibition on overnight parking. 

The employee permit program would be separate from the city’s current permit program, in which a business can obtain a designated parking stall permit for a higher rate, and assign multiple license plates to it. While the new program wouldn’t provide a guaranteed spot, it would offer a cheaper, flexible alternative.

The PAC says it would not require employees to live within the PRSA boundary, but they would have to prove downtown employment either by a current paystub, a letter from their employer, or a valid business license; eligibility would be checked monthly. Employers would also be able to purchase a permit on behalf of their employees.

While community parking options have been under consideration for some time, staff attributed the concept’s recent momentum to feedback offered during a well-attended PAC meeting this summer. After the meeting, staff said the PAC supported moving ahead with researching options and developing a plan.

PAC is aiming to finalize scope, requirements, and rate policy for council approval by the end of this year, according to the city’s timeline. System setup and outreach would proceed over winter and spring, with a phased rollout of the program in June 2026.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media