Hey tweets, please see below. Not sure what "delay" means. I suppose the signage will let us know. In the meantime, i still think it's a good idea to let the provost know of our concerns about this policy change. The UW Botanic Gardens people have gone out of their way to keep parking as accessible as possible, but even at $5 a day, this fee will place a burden on many people who use the Fill to bird, walk, commune with nature, and gain peace of mind.
I wrote the provost some days ago pointing out that diminishing a community of people who care deeply about the Fill (aka UBNA) may be financially beneficial in the short tern but antithetical to the UW's benefit in the long run.
Others have suggested letting UWBG and Transportation Services know of our concerns as well, and that's a good idea too. - Connie, Seattle
> Begin forwarded message:
>
> From: "Christina R. Owen" <crowen...>
> Subject: CUH Parking Update
> Date: January 28, 2026 at 11:22:37 AM PST
> To: "Christina R. Owen" <crowen...>
>
> Dear CUH Friends,
>
> Due to outreach and comments from community members like you, UW Transportation Services has decided to delay implementation of paid parking at the Center for Urban Horticulture. However, UW Transportation Services does plan to include this change in their regular rate approval process which commences in February.
>
> According to Transportation Services, the proposed change is being considered in order to correct noncompliance with the University of Washington’s parking policies. UW Transportation Services conducted an audit of all parking agreements for lots on campus and determined that E16 was not compliant with the University's Transportation Management Plan <https://facilities.uw.edu/files/media/2019-04-02-uw-cmp-final-plan-reduced.pdf> and does not follow University of Washington parking rules and regulations as provided by WAC 478-116 <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=478__;!!K-Hz7m0Vt54!hmnClsTcAPFZctWVT9vjT1MjTAw-kNjIIq9IM1v03Y2LhotEc1xWSZgKhYZMuyCdr7J99UqItQI$>.
>
> Given the need for a change in the agreement for the E16 lot, UW Botanic Gardens was able to negotiate a $5 per day parking rate (the lowest Value Lot rate on the Seattle campus). This is the same rate charged at parking lots <> E03 and E04, which are also close to the Union Bay Natural Area. With this proposal, public parking remains free on Saturdays after noon and all day Sunday and holidays, excluding event parking. UW Transportation Services will be posting the full rate proposal, which includes E16, on their website and will invite public comments for 30 days. A summary of public comments will be incorporated into staff recommendations and will be included in the presentation to the UW Board of Regents in the spring.
>
> Thank you reaching out and bringing your concerns, and those of the community, to the attention of the UW. UWBG hears the concerns raised by our community and we invite you to continue to share those during this public comment period.
>
> Best,
> Christina
>
> Christina Owen, PhD (she/her)
> Director
> University of Washington Botanic Gardens
> Washington Park Arboretum | Center for Urban Horticulture
> <crowen...> <mailto:<crowen...> > 206.616.5020
> uwbotanicgardens.org <http://uwbotanicgardens.org/> >
> <http://depts.washington.edu/uwbg/>
> School of Environmental and Forest Sciences
> College of the Environment
> <https://www.facebook.com/UWBotanicGardens> <https://twitter.com/uwbotanicgarden> <http://www.flickr.com/groups/uwbotanicgardens/pool/> <http://www.depts.washington.edu/news/feed/> <http://www.pinterest.com/uwbotanicgarden/>
>
> The University of Washington acknowledges the Coast Salish peoples of this land, the land which touches the shared waters of all tribes and bands within the Suquamish, Tulalip and Muckleshoot nations. We acknowledge our Indigenous connections as well as the histories of dispossession and forced removal that have allowed for the growth and survival of this and so many of our institution
