Increased activity on Capitol Campus means tighter employee parking

Fall is here and activity on the Capitol Campus is increasing. The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) Office of Parking Services expects employee parking to be tight now through the end of the 2019 Legislative Session. This long session is scheduled to run Jan. 8 through mid-April and will bring and increase of employee parkers.

Here are a few tips to make your commute a little less stressful:

Campus parking

It can be tricky to find a parking spot if you arrive after the morning rush (7-9 a.m.), or if you need to leave campus and return mid-day. If you find yourself in one of these situations, try these options:

  • Lot full? Use the Plaza Garage. If your lot is full, the Plaza Garage can be used as overflow parking for any employee registered to park on the Capitol Campus. Levels E and F typically have open stalls throughout the day.
  • Park for free on Deschutes Parkway. Parking is first come, first served on Deschutes Parkway. The 42 bus line runs every 30 minutes and can drop you at the nearest free Dash shuttle stop.

Commute options

Carpool & vanpool

Free parking is available to three or more employees who share one authorized vehicle to commute to campus. The group lead should register using the online parking form.

Rideshare

Discounted parking ($17.50/person) is available to two employees who share one authorized vehicle to commute to campus. Each person in the rideshare should register using the online parking form. In the comments area, include your intent to rideshare and the name of the other participant.

Transit & bicycle

The state’s Commute Trip Reduction Program provides other resources for state employees:

Find more alternative commute information at:

Telework or flex schedules

Consider speaking with your supervisor to see if teleworking or flex schedules could work for you. It’s often hardest to find parking on Tuesdays and Thursdays, when traffic is busiest on Campus. Governor Jay Inslee’s Executive Order 16-07 directs agencies to implement “innovative workplace strategies that support the state’s organizational mission, flexibility, and mobility in the workplace; create modern work environments; and reflect organizational cultures that align with the changing expectations of employees and our customers.”

Did you know?

If you participate in a commute trip reduction option (carpool/vanpool, rideshare, transit, bicycle, or telework) you can purchase day passes from the Office of Parking Services for those days that you have to drive your own car. Passes sell for $2.80 per day in an employee parking garage or lot rather than paying the visitor parking meters $16 per day. Come by the Office of Parking Services and purchase them in advance for those specific days you have to drive. Fifteen minute parking is available in the NRB Visitor Lot at the Washington St. entrance.

Questions?

Let us know if you have questions!
Parking@des.wa.gov | (360) 725-0030 | Visit our website
Capitol Court Building: 1110 Capitol Way S., Room 210