Overview
April 2012 Project Update The Northgate Transit-Oriented Development Urban Design Study is now available to the public. DPD also continues to work with King County, Sound Transit and the Puget Sound Regional Council to discuss future uses in the station area. The next step will be a follow-up study to seek agreement on uses and public spaces. This study will define an urban design framework to bring more certainty about the future shape of the station area. |
What is This Project About?
The City of Seattle and King County are working jointly with the Puget Sound Regional Council and Sound Transit, to explore ways to create a well-rounded, active community in the planned Northgate light rail station area. The opportunities for transit-oriented community development are tremendous, and they will help continue the transformation of Northgate into a vital urban center that has already begun with library, community center, park and Thornton Place development in recent years.
The broad goals for the agencies’ work include encouraging:
- Enhanced pedestrian and bicycle connectivity and accessibility to and from the transit center
- Convenient transfers from rail to bus systems
- Attractive and engaging public spaces and street-level features
- Affordable housing
- Creating a better sense of place and meeting the needs of Northgate and surrounding residents
- Creating a healthy and sustainable community
Using federal grant money, Seattle sponsored an urban design study that was prepared from Summer 2011 to Spring 2012. This study looked at key needs and opportunities related to the development of a new center in the light rail station area.
Sound Transit is continuing to make progress on its design of the station and will begin construction in 2014.
King County is evaluating choices on how to integrate bus service at the light rail station, and exploring a variety of options for future development at the Transit Center property that is west of Thornton Place and south of the Northgate Mall.
These efforts, along with public input, will bring more clarity to how the area can best develop as a transit-oriented community, and identify what changes, such as zoning changes, might be needed to support that. The agencies’ efforts will continue through 2012, shaped by the input received in 2011 and 2012.
Public Involvement
- On Dec. 8, DPD had a public meeting to share options that show future urban design and development possibilities. The meeting also included information on pedestrian and bicycle improvement opportunities, station design information from Sound Transit and ridge design / transit topics from King County. View the meeting presentation and boards.
- On Nov. 28, DPD, King County, Sound Transit and the Puget Sound Regional Council briefed the Seattle City Council on planning for “Growing Transit Communities.” The briefing can be seen on the Seattle Channel (click: Growing Transit Communities). This is part of a regional effort to bring healthy, equitable communities in centers well-served by transit. The following materials provide background information about current status:
- DPD: “Station Area Urban Design & Development Study”
- King County: “Growing Transit Communities, Northgate Catalyst Project”
- Sound Transit: “North Link – Northgate Station Update”
- Puget Sound Regional Council: “Growing Transit Communities – A Corridor Action Strategy for Central Puget Sound”
