SEATTLE — Owner and founder Erin Rubin describes her current setup at Mode Music Studios in West Seattle as the ideal space.
Countless hours have gone into outfitting it to meet the needs of teachers and students. Rubin also considers the location a harmonious arrangement between her and her neighbors at Skylark Cafe.
This, however, is changing in the near future with Sound Transit's plans to expand light rail routes. The buildings that house Mode Music Studio and Mode Performing Arts are in the path of the West Seattle Link Extension.
"This is our home. I don't want to ... I'm just not ready to see it go," Rubin said through tears. She's been teaching music for 17 years. Mode Music Studios celebrates its 10-year anniversary in May.
"We will be the first of the stations to go in, they guaranteed that or at least the first to be flattened," Rubin said. She recently met with Sound Transit representatives last Monday. According to Rubin, the cost of her relocating will not be offset by what Sound Transit can provide.
"$50,000 is not enough for me to move nine teaching studios, 500 students, and 50 teachers, and administration. I have to move an entire building and recreate this somewhere else," Rubin said. She's been on the hunt for a similar space and estimates it's going to cost $450,000.
If Rubin finds a way to get that much money, perhaps through a small business loan, she says she'll still be in limbo if she wants to get help from Sound Transit.
"If we are unable to move on their timeline with those funds, they'll give us nothing," she said. "I'm pro-public transportation. I want to see this happen. Our city needs it. I'm not going to get in the way of the light rail, but I'm literally in the way of the light rail. I've pleaded. I've told them our story. I don't know what else I can do at this point and I don't know if I have the energy to fight."
Knowing their time in the space is finite, Rubin said if the community wants to help, they can sign up for in-person and online music lessons and summer rock band camps at modemusicstudios.com or sign up for classes and summer camps at modemusicandperformingarts.org. Supporters can also donate to the studios' private lesson scholarship program and in-school programs at modemusicandperformingarts.org/donate.
Rubin also encouraged people to support her neighbors at Skylark Cafe which hosts a variety of events including trivia, drag bingo, open mic, karaoke, shows along with weekend brunches
Sound Transit spokesperson said it's a little more complex than businesses receiving $50,000 to move.
"Each move is unique and each relocation requires close work with our relocation team to maximize the resources available," Sound Transit said in a statement. "Businesses work with a relocation agent who helps them determine their specific needs and assists them in finding a replacement property."
Business owners can accept a fixed moving payment of up to $40,000 instead of actual moving expenses, Sound Transit said, adding that this is the best option for smaller business relocations.
However, Sound Transit outlined the additional relocation options, which include moving expense reimbursement which are not capped; reestablishment expenses, which are reimbursed up to a maximum of $50,000; and other related expenses which depend on the individual circumstances of the business.