Green Parking

Kent's New ShoWare Performance Center Gets it right with LEED Certification and "Green" Parking!


Every once in a while somebody really gets it right.

Thursday, I had the opportunity to go check out the new "ShoWare Center" for the 38 Special, REO Speedwagon, Styx Concert. The 'ShoWare' is the new Events Center in Kent (about 18 miles South of Seattle). It was built by the City with anchor tenant the Seattle Thunderbirds Hockey Club - but is also available for other events including concerts, family shows, professional and exhibition sports, trade shows, and community gatherings.

The City of Kent not only built a beautiful building, they also hold the distinction of being the first sports & entertainment arena to achieve SILVER certification for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design by the US Green Building Council.

But it doesn't stop there. No only do they have FREE PARKING (when was the last time you didn't have to shell out $10 to $20 bucks to park at a concert - sheeze), but what really blew me away was this - FREE PREFERRED PARKING FOR FUEL EFFICIENT VEHICLES! Yep, hybrids, alternative fuel vehicles and carpools park right up front in one of "90 parking stalls in ShoWare Center's west lot for drivers of low-emission/fuel-efficient vehicles and/or carpools of four or more. Parking attendants and signage is in place to direct qualifying vehicles to the designated parking stalls."

As far as I know, this is the first venue to offer free preferred parking to fuel efficient vehicles. The closest thing I think I've ever seen to this is in Vancouver, Canada, where they have small on-street parking "half spots" in preferred locations just big enough for a Smart Car, Mini or motorcycle.

Think of the ramifications if all government venues or even private employers starting offering this!

Would it stimulate YOU to go get a more fuel efficient vehicle if you knew there was a FREE parking space waiting for you right up front?

Sounds like a GREAT concert too!!!