When the 1 Line extension opened to Federal Way on Dec. 6, it did more than bring reliable, traffic-free connections to South King County.
It also opened the door to new opportunities to create walkable, vibrant station areas with housing, services, and community amenities just steps from transit.
Sound Transit strives to foster livable communities around transit by supporting opportunities for development and affordable housing near our stations through our transit-oriented development program.
In South King County, we’re supporting the creation of over 500 units across three projects near the Federal Way Downtown, Kent Des Moines, and Angle Lake stations. Planned development on additional sites at each of those stations will deliver more housing in the years to come.
Federal Way Downtown Station TOD: A new community hub in the making
In December 2025, Sound Transit issued a Notice of Intent to Award to Multi-Service Center and Shelter Resources, Inc. team to develop approximately 230 new affordable homes on land adjacent to the station.
Multi-Service Center and Shelter Resources, Inc.’s proposal includes:
About 230 units across two buildings, totaling roughly 570 bedrooms
Housing serving residents earning up to and between 30% and 60% of area median income
Over 90% family-sized homes (2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom units), directly addressing Federal Way’s need for larger, affordable apartments
It also includes the following ground-floor community-serving spaces:
A café led by Project Feast, a nonprofit supporting refugees and immigrants through culinary training
A commercial kitchen developed with FUSION, which provides housing and services for families experiencing homelessness
A childcare facility, helping meet another critical community need
The design of the two buildings intentionally creates multiple pedestrian routes linking the Performing Arts and Events Center, Town Square Park, and the new light rail station.
Together, these elements will activate the station area and support the City of Federal Way’s City Center vision for a more connected, walkable, people-focused downtown.
Key business terms are anticipated to be brought to the Sound Transit Board for approval in 2026. Multi-Service Center and Shelter Resources, Inc. aim to break ground on the project in 2028.
Learn more about this TOD adjacent to Federal Way Downtown Station.
Kent Des Moines Station TOD: Building a mixed-income, mixed-use neighborhood
TOD is also moving forward north of Federal Way at the Kent Des Moines Station. Sound Transit and the City of Kent are working together to transform approximately four acres of former construction staging areas into a mixed-income, walkable urban center.
In June 2023, Sound Transit issued a Notice of Intent to Award for the north TOD site to Mercy Housing Northwest in partnership with Open Doors for Multicultural Families, a Kent-based non-profit organization which provides services and programing for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Their proposed project – Kent Multicultural Village – includes:
233 units of affordable housing for people and families earning up to and between 30% and 80% of area median income
On-site resident services through Mercy Housing’s Family Services and Mercy Scholars programs
The project also includes non-profit office space and neighborhood focused retail
The developer plans to begin construction in early 2026. Construction is expected to take approximately two years to complete.
Sound Transit will partner with the City of Kent on the redevelopment of the south TOD site to pursue additional development near the station. The adjacent south TOD site is planned for market-rate housing to support a mixed-income neighborhood.
Learn more about Kent Multicultural Village.
Angle Lake Station TOD: Connecting communities to transit
Sound Transit joined Mercy Housing Northwest and partners earlier this year to celebrate the opening of Connection Angle Lake.
The project’s 130 units bring 211 bedrooms across studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes. These units will serve households earning under 50% and 60% area median income. The project includes 26 units for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and 8 for recipients of King County Housing Authority vouchers. The Arc of King County operates out of the ground floor commercial space to provide critical services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
Learn more about Connection Angle Lake.
Building vibrant, transit-connected communities
Transit-oriented development is central to Sound Transit’s mission. It ensures that transit doesn’t just move people — it strengthens communities. Through this work, we are committed to creating inclusive, vibrant, and affordable communities in our station areas. Our surplus property may be offered at a discount to qualified entities, which include local governments, housing authorities, and nonprofit developers, to support affordable housing outcomes.
As the new 1 Line extension begins serving riders, projects at Federal Way Downtown, Kent Des Moines, and Angle Lake are helping shape a future where more people can live, work, and thrive near high-quality transit.