Public hearing set by Sound Transit on proposed Kent commuter rail station parking garage

Three potential locations have been identified for a structured parking garage near Sound Transit's Kent Sounder commuter rail station. Sound Transit - the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority - held a public meeting in Kent on September 2nd to discuss the three site options and get public feedback on them. A public hearing has been scheduled preceding the Sound Transit Board's Sept. 24 meeting to receive final public comments:    Thursday, September 24 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Puget Sound Regional Council 1011 Western Ave., 6th floor Seattle

The Kent station will be located along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks between Smith and James streets. The parking garage would include about 500 stalls in three levels, including rooftop parking. The mixed use building would include retail space at the ground level. Surface parking of 300 stalls would support the initial Sounder commuter rail service until the proposed structure is completed in mid-2000.

Sounder commuter rail is on track to begin service between Seattle and Tacoma by the end of 1999, with extensions south to Lakewood and north to Everett beginning service early in 2001. Sound Transit is also developing a 24-mile Link light rail system connecting the cities of SeaTac, Tukwila and Seattle, a 1.6-mile Link light rail line in downtown Tacoma, and 20 new limited-stop Regional Express bus routes to serve the three-county region. 

For more information on Sound Transit, please visit the Sound Transit website at www.soundtransit.org/. You may also write or call for more information: Sound Transit, 1100 - 2nd Ave., Ste 500, Seattle WA 98101-2423. 206-398-5000.

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Sound Transit plans, builds and operates regional transit systems and services to improve mobility for Central Puget Sound.