UW News

May 11, 2011

Sound Transit slates open houses on new stations

Sound Transit will be hosting several open houses to show the current design plans for new stations, including the one in the University District, and to hear thoughts and ideas from the community. Open houses scheduled include:

Northgate Station: May 17, Olympic View Elementary School Cafeteria, 504 NE 95th Street

Roosevelt Station: May 26, Ravenna Eckstein Community Center Gymnasium, 6535 Ravenna Avenue NE

Brooklyn Station: June 9, Hotel Deca Grand Ballroom, 4507 Brooklyn Avenue NE

The open houses run between 6 and 8:30 p.m., with a presentation starting at 6:30 p.m.

After considering two station design options and holding a public meeting in January, Sound Transit is moving ahead with a design option for the Brooklyn light rail station that has lower cost and construction risks. This option had a single entrance in the center of the station.

Project architects have further refined this design, and have found a way to include two entrances to the station—one on the north and one on the south end of the station. This new design still reduces the cost and construction risk while also improving the visibility of the station and allowing for better pedestrian circulation.

Earlier this month the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board determined that the Standard Radio building, located near the corner of NE 65th Street and 12th Avenue NE in the Roosevelt neighborhood, does not qualify as a historic landmark. Built in 1947, the building has been home to J&S Phonograph Needles, Videophile, a florist, and of course, Standard Radio.

Although the building is not officially designated a landmark, Sound Transit recognizes its importance to the neighborhood. In response to community requests, Sound Transit will attempt to preserve the “Standard” sign or other components of the building and will consider how they might be incorporated into the station design.

More information is available online.