LEED certification

We're focused on enhancing our building operations by working toward Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards

What is LEED?

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, certification is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. This system informs, benchmarks, and celebrates sustainability goals and achievements by organizations.

LEED requirements span location and transportation, sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality. The LEED framework helps buildings stay healthy, efficient, and cost-saving.

Sound Transit's Angle Lake Link Light Rail Station, which opened Sept. 24, 2016.
Angle Lake Station

Angle Lake Station, the first design-build project completed by Sound Transit, was awarded LEED Gold certification in 2017.

An aerial view of the Lynnwood City Center Station area.
Lynnwood City Center Station

Lynnwood City Center Station achieved LEED Gold certification in 2024 for the station, parking garage and public plaza areas.

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Sound Transit's Angle Lake Link Light Rail Station, which opened Sept. 24, 2016.
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An aerial view of the Lynnwood City Center Station area.

LEED-certified stations

Angle Lake Station, located in the city of SeaTac, achieved LEED Gold certification in 2017.  The elevated station, which includes a guideway, garage, and pedestrian plaza, was the first design-build project completed by Sound Transit.

Several sustainability features have been incorporated into the design, including two solar arrays totaling 64 kilowatts. When not in use, escalators from the platform to a plaza area reduce their speed to conserve energy. There are four charging stations for electric vehicles in the garage, and storage is available on site for 52 bicycles.

Lynnwood City Center Station, which will open Aug. 30, 2024, achieved LEED Gold certification in 2024. The certification is for the entire campus, including the station, parking garage, and public plaza areas. The certification recognized several areas of achievement, including the quality of the transit connections at the station, protection of habitat including restoration of Scriber Creek, energy efficiency of lighting and mechanical systems, and diversion of construction waste. The station also features these improvements:

  • 85% of open space is covered in vegetation via pedestrian promenade, walkways, bike trails, and planting areas.
  • 81% of construction waste has been diverted from landfills.
  • 100% of paints, coatings, adhesives, sealants, flooring, ceiling, and insulation met LEED low-VOC requirements.

Specific resource and utility achievements include:

  • A 30% energy cost reduction with advanced metering for real-time monitoring.
  • A 34% reduction in indoor water use through efficient fixtures.
  • A 71% reduction in irrigation water use through native, drought-tolerant plant species.

Downtown Redmond Link Station is anticipating a LEED gold certification in 2025. The certification is for the station and public plazas. It was recognized in several areas of achievement, including its intermodal and regional connections to trails, locating to avoid environmental disturbance, energy and water efficiency, diversion of construction waste, and locally-0sourced materials. The station also features these improvements:

  • 10 artists were commissioned to produced a total of 50 works of art for plazas
  • Direct connection to Redmond Central Connector Trail and bike facilities
  • Use of non-toxic and low emitting materials that impact health of building occupants

Specific resource and utility achievements include?:

  • Over 10% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from station's construction
  • 35% reduction in indoor water use through efficient fixtures
  • 75% construction waste diverted from landfills