CEO Corner
Our job is building a mass transit system that connects you with the Puget Sound region. As Sound Transit's CEO, I can assure you that everyone here - including our Board of Directors, staff and consultants - is committed to bringing you safe and reliable service.
Joni Earl, Sound Transit Chief Executive Officer
CEO Report for May 17, 2013
East Link Extension open house
On Thursday, about 70 people joined us for an update on the latest news with the East Link light rail extension in downtown Bellevue, including the Bellevue Transit Center and Hospital stations. At the open house we talked about station design, permanent station names, concurrent City of Bellevue projects and other East Link items.
Late last month the Sound Transit Board and the Bellevue City Council both unanimously approved final refinements to the East Link route and station locations in Bellevue. That allows final design to advance on the full 14-mile project and to prepare for property acquisition.
Final design phase advances work from approximately 30 percent to 100 percent design completion. There will continue to be many opportunities for residents, neighborhood organizations, property owners and businesses to get involved during this design phase.
A similar open house on the South Bellevue segment will be Thursday, May 30 from 5-7 p.m. at the Hilton Bellevue Hotel, 300 112th Ave. SE.
Follow this link to learn more about the East Link Extension.
Capitol Hill transit oriented development
Sound Transit and the City of Seattle took another big step this week toward setting the framework for development above our Capitol Hill Link light rail station. The City released a Development Agreement (DA) that outlines height limits, affordable housing goals and design guidelines for the five parcels that will be available for development after the station is complete. The agreement must be approved by the City Council and Sound Transit Board before the agency moves to the next steps of seeking developer proposals for the sites. The public will have opportunities to review and comment on the DA through the Council's legislative process and the Sound Transit Board review process.
Follow this link to learn more about Capitol Hill TOD.
Fair, festival season
This weekend kicks off the summer fair and festival season for our Sound Transit outreach teams. On Saturday and Sunday we'll be at the U-District Street Fair. On Sunday, we'll be at the South Tacoma Farmers Market. In the coming months, team members will be at community events throughout the district answering questions and providing Sound Transit materials. Stop by our info booth if you ever see us out and about in your community.
Besides attending fairs and festivals, our construction outreach team holds community meetings and provides updates for projects, provides interpreter and translation services upon request for non-English speakers and works with businesses and residences to minimize project impacts.
Board to make decision on Tacoma Link's future expansion
Next week will be an important week in the expansion of Link light rail in Tacoma. On Thursday, the Sound Transit Board will consider light rail expansion options and may select a corridor to take into environmental review. Through a two-step evaluation process, including extensive community involvement from an active group of engaged stakeholders, and several public open houses, four corridor options are rising to the top. B1 serves the Stadium District and 6th Avenue and Pine Street mixed use center; E1 serves the Stadium District, and the Martin Luther King Jr. mixed use center; C1 expands east to serve the lower Portland Avenue mixed use center and East Tacoma; and H2, which is a combination of the E1 and C1 corridors. Last month, the Tacoma City Council passed a resolution in support of E1.
Sound Transit plans to fund $50 million of the project cost with local revenue, and seek federal funds through the Small Starts grant program for an additional $50 million. Sound Transit will need to find a partner or partners to fund the remaining $50 million of the project cost before final design and construction can begin.
Follow this link to learn more about Tacoma Link Expansion.
New ads to launch next week
Sound Transit spent a lot of time over the last two years talking to commuters in our region who don't take transit. We wanted to learn the reasons people drive alone, even when transit is an option for them. What we learned is that people think that their car equals freedom for them. Anyone who's been stuck in I-5 traffic can tell you otherwise. That's why we're launching a new ad campaign targeted at these non-riders that talks about how freedom really means letting go of the wheel, and enjoying your commute from the seat of a bus or train. Starting Monday, The Voice of Reason will be back on the air with three new commercial spots targeted at these potential riders.
