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Following a controversy over the construction and cost of a proposed 900-stall parking garage for
the light rail station, the City of Seattle and Sound Transit mutually agreed to financial
commitments toward bicycle and pedestrian improvements in the Northgate area. As part of this
agreement, Sound Transit committed $5 million toward the Northgate Pedestrian and Bicycle
Bridge, provided full funding could be secured by July 31, 2015. The total project cost for the
Bridge has been estimated to be between $15 and $25 million, with $10 million already committed
to-date between Sound Transit and the City of Seattle. The agreement specifies that if the remaining
funding is not secured by next July, Sound Transits contribution will be reallocated toward other
pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure projects within the neighborhood. The City of Seattles
commitment would return to its general fund.
We understand that the funding deadline was enacted to allow for engineering studies to be
conducted so that the bridge could be built into the future light rail station. However, given that the
Northgate Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge preliminary engineering and environmental review will be
completed by the end of this year (Q4, 2014), the deadline no longer has justification and should be
removed.
With the removal of the July 31, 2015 deadline, we can continue to stay committed and focused on
supporting the regional expansion of Sound Transits Link light rail system and improving
pedestrian and bicycle access to the light rail station for the Northgate Urban Center.
With additional time and greater focus from city and regional leaders, we are confident we can find
the remaining funding necessary to construct the Northgate Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge.
Potential funding sources include new and greater commitments from Northgate stakeholders;
cost-savings from a smaller parking garage; regional, state, and federal grant opportunities; and the
cost-savings from the University Link Extension.
For these reasons, we urge the Sound Transit Board to remove the July 31, 2015 funding deadline
for the Northgate Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Larry Phillips
Sound Transit Board member
King County Council Chair
Mike OBrien
Sound Transit Board member
Seattle City Councilmember
David Frockt
State Senator, Legislative District 46
Tom Rasmussen
Seattle City Council member
and Transportation Committee Chair
Jessyn Farrell
State Representative, Legislative District 46
Sally Bagshaw
Seattle City Council member
Gerry Pollet
State Representative, Legislative District 46