International District Parking Association (IDPA), d.b.a. Merchants Parking Association (MPA) / Transia, is a not-for-profit organization providing parking and paratransit/shuttle van services. IDPA is a local minority and community-based agency which develops, manages and operates parking and transportation services and provides employment opportunities in and for Seattle’s Chinatown International District.

MPA currently provides parking services for, or in collaboration with, the following community organizations:

• Asian Counseling and Referral Services (ACRS)
• International District Community Health Clinic
• Chinese Information and Service Center (CISC)
• Chinatown/International District Business Improvement Area (CID-BIA)
• Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority
• Uwajimaya, Inc.
• International Parking Management (IPM) with First & Goal

MPA is also an active member of Seattle’s Chinatown Chamber of Commerce.

2. Organization

Background and History: The International District Parking Association d.b.a. Merchants Parking Association/Transia (MPA) is a revenue-based non-profit company established in 1975 to develop, manage, and operate parking and Transportation services. Chairman of the Board is community member, Jeff Wong of King County’s METRO Services. The Board of Directors meets once every other month; sets operating policies as reflected in the minutes of their meeting; maintains and updates the employee handbook, which includes drug testing policies; and other policies published on a routine basis for staff review and action. Previous Board members have included Ray Lew, Tomio Moriguchi, Al Gould, Alan Cornell, Bob Santos, Ruby Chow and other community members that have contributed to the ongoing success and operation of International District Parking Association.

IDPA’s Executive Director, Michael Olson joined the organization in 1993, while Operations Manager, Mr. Idris Elhamar, has been with Transia for nine years.  Adan Magana who manages parking services has worked at MPA for over seventeen years. Their professional knowledge and management experience gives the organization depth and flexibility to provide service to and for our clients. The Association’s administrative office is located at 214 Fifth Avenue South, Seattle, Washington, 98104. The agency currently has 85 full and part-time employees.

Transia’s efforts to assist people with disabilities which includes providing reasonable accommodations, establishing links with other agencies and connecting employees with additional employment opportunities and promoting diversity within their business has earned an honor for the Governor’s 2005 Medium Nonprofit “Employer of the Year Award” in November 2005. Transia was nominated by the staff at Harborview Mental Health Services, Employment Service Program.

For over 32 years MPA has been continuously engaged in the business of providing affordable parking services including the management of fifteen properties in the Chinatown/International District. Transia has provided over 1,000,000 rides for the past twenty-three years and providing services throughout DSHS para transit programs and shuttle services. Transia’s fleet of 40 vans operates throughout the King County and Puget Sound area.

Merchants Parking / Transia:

214 Fifth Avenue South

Seattle, WA 98104

206-624-3426

Fax 206-682-4233

E-mail transia@aol.com