Arts coalition successfully relocates draft Seattle Center light rail station onto Mercer

After reviewing Sound Transit’s draft plans for light rail extension from West Seattle to Ballard, the City of Seattle has recommended that the Seattle Center Station be located on Mercer, as opposed to within the Center itself on Republican St.

Ballard, Interbay light rail connection design moves ahead with preference for tunnel option

Sound Transit originally expressed a preference for the Republic Street location, adjacent to Climate Pledge Arena and close to sensitive performing arts studios, with the potential to be adversely affected by construction.

(Transportation and Seattle Public Utilities Committee)

In April, KEXP released a statement calling for the relocation of the draft studio, making the claim that their studio spaces would be effectively unusable with the light rail station under construction.

“Unfortunately, construction of the station at the preferred location … would render our facility unusable, potentially forcing our permanent relocation … potential impacts include … Studio spaces rendered unusable for a half-decade or more due to digging and construction a mere 20 feet below our building and 8 feet from studio walls,” a KEXP statement reads.

That concern was echoed by the Vera Project, Seattle Rep, Seattle International Film Festival, and the Seattle Center Foundation in cautionary letters the arts organization sent to Mayor Bruce Harrell and Sound Transit in March.

The Seattle Center is a top tourist location in the city, hosting upwards of 12 million tourists annually.

The draft station on W Mercer St. and 1st Ave. N will have two station entrances, one facing the Seattle Center and another towards Uptown.

Hear KIRO Newsradio and MyNorthwest reporters Chris Sullivan and Dalton Day discuss the draft plans for light rail extension from West Seattle to Ballard here: 

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