Puyallup council renews downtown parklet pilot for one year; city covers costs

The Puyallup City Council on March 25 approved a one-year extension of the downtown parklet pilot program, with the city covering the $1,500 annual cost per parklet and a council amendment guaranteeing four of the seven parklets be placed along South Meridian.

Council members said the parklets provide visible economic and public‑realm benefits downtown and asked staff to work with the Puyallup Main Street Association on longer‑term arrangements for maintenance and storage.

City staff presented three options developed after the council’s prior direction: (1) city pays full cost for two years, (2) 50/50 cost share for one year, and (3) a three‑year phased cost share that would shift businesses to full cost by year three. The council voted to adopt a modified version of option 1 for a single year, combined with an amendment to reserve a 4–3 split favoring Meridian locations.

Dan (City staff) told the council the estimated city cost was $1,500 per parklet annually — $10,500 for all seven — covering installation, maintenance and removal. Staff said businesses would be required to carry liability insurance of $2 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate for products/completed operations.

Council members debated how to balance downtown vibrancy and impacts on adjacent businesses. Council member Whiting noted parklets remove curbside parking that some neighboring merchants rely on and supported a phased cost share plan; Council member Johnson argued the city should fund the pilot to encourage downtown activity and proposed prioritizing Meridian placements. Council member Doer suggested exploring a licensing or operating agreement with the Main Street Association so the nonprofit could manage the program if it chooses.

An amendment guaranteeing that four parklets be placed on South Meridian and three off‑Meridian passed; the subsequent motion to adopt a one‑year, city‑funded pilot (modified Option 1) also passed by voice vote. Staff said they will open an application/lottery for interested businesses and will coordinate with Main Street on outreach and logistics.

Because the existing parklets were constructed in part with American Rescue Plan Act funds and stored by the city, councilmembers discussed storage, removal and equipment needs (forklift, space) and noted Main Street may not have the capacity to manage those operations without city support.

Council and staff said they plan to review the pilot’s performance after the one‑year period and consider funding or cost‑sharing changes thereafter.