Bumper Cars Below the QFC

Who knew that food could be so dangerous to your health?

This time, we're talking about shopping, not eating. Have you been to the parking garage below the QFC at Lumen (501 Roy Street, at the corner of Mercer Street and 5th Avenue North)?

Whoever did the design obviously drives an automatic. It's no problem to descend into the garage, but to exit, you need to stop your car on the incline to feed the ticket to the machine. If you drive a stick, that's quite a challenge, and you best be adept at using your parking brake in the process. And beware the car in front of you. We've seen many a car slip backward trying to gun it up the hill--especially when the surface is wet.

QFC management has fielded quite a few comments about this, and referred us to Lumen for complaints. We called The CWD Group, Lumen's management, but they say it's unlikely they can change the entryway.

At the moment, the system's down and the gates are open. But we're suddenly liking the Safeway a whole lot better.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@seattlest.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jay in Food on April 10, 2009 2:30 PM

Comments [rss]

Unknown user

Sounds like someone needs to practice driving a stick shift.

Jay

Ahdahm, the gate was unused for...well, forever...but then recently for about 2-3 weeks it was actually operational. And annoying. I almost had a car back into me.

I agree with you, jdavin, that there are worse spots in town, but this was simply unnecessary. They could have done this differently.

jdavin

Hmm, I drive a stick and have never had a problem with that ramp. It's nothing compared to some of the other way steeper inclines in Seattle that you need to be prepared to handle if you drive a stick. Like if you're going east up Denny (right after I-5) and got stopped at the light on Bellevue Ave. That hill is really steep - I see a lot of cars and pickup trucks burning rubber when the pavement is wet.

ahdahm

the gate's actually been broken for >1yr - I've been going there frequently and they've never had it working, despite all the "validated parking free at QFC" signs implying I would need to, uh, get my parking validated..