SEATTLE — The Sound Transit Board of Directors decided Thursday not to move forward with considering an alternative location for a new light rail station in South Lake Union.
Sound Transit’s board was considering shifting the proposed site for the new station, a part of the Ballard Link Extension, to 5th Avenue North and Harrison Street, two and a half blocks west of the current preferred location at 7th Avenue North and Harrison.
A feasibility study concluded the 5th and Harrison location would’ve provided more convenient access to Seattle Center and would’ve avoided closures on Westlake Avenue.
However, the study also found that the 7th and Harrison location would net a 2% higher ridership, equivalent to 3,000 more trips per day, and more convenient for SLU core access.
Ultimately, the move to 5th and Harrison could’ve delayed the Ballard Link Extension opening 10 to 24 months and would’ve cost $500 million to $1 billion more.
According to Sound Transit, their community outreach showed there was “some interest” in more convenient access to Seattle Center but that there was “broad interest” in limiting delays and cost increases.
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell originally backed considering the 5th and Harrison location but withdrew support following the study and staff recommendation.
“I don't think that at this point, there's any debate as to whether 5th and Harrison is feasible. I'm not going to be making any motions to support a new preferred alternative. Just because number one, I could read the tea leaves, but number two, the 10-month delay and the $500 million-plus north of that price tag, I think I'd be putting my colleagues at a disadvantage,” said Harrell.
Amazon has issued statements against the 7th and Harrison location throughout this process citing its concerns with construction shutting down portions of Westlake Avenue for years.
“Our goal has always been to preserve and build upon the economic recovery that Seattle is making, improve the commutes of our 50,000 employees who work here, and support the dozens of local small businesses and organizations in the neighborhood that will be impacted. This decision makes it more difficult to achieve this goal,” Amazon said in a statement Thursday.
The Ballard Link Extension will add more than 7 miles of light rail service from downtown Seattle to Ballard, including the construction of nine new stations.
The start of service is scheduled for 2039.
