Sound Transit cannot let our treasured Chinatown International District (CID) become collateral damage for yet another regional infrastructure project, when there is a better alternative. But that’s just what will happen if 4th Avenue and Jackson is torn up for a decade or more—to build a new CID station on the Ballard to West Seattle light rail extension.
Supporters for a 4th Avenue station would have you believe they represent a widely held view by the neighborhood, and that there aren’t workable alternatives.
This could not be further from the truth.
As part of a coalition of small businesses, low-income residents, elders, long-time community leaders, and nonprofits serving the CID, we call instead for new station locations just north and south of the CID that serve equally well, if not better.
When Sound Transit unveiled a 4th Avenue station location last winter, most of the CID community was shocked to hear it would require up to 10 years of construction—in the heart of our already stressed neighborhood. This was new and devastating information that moved over 100 CID stakeholders and organizations to sign a letter to Sound Transit, demanding an alternative.
To be clear, it’s not that 10 years of construction is simply a hassle—it will likely result in permanent displacement of businesses, residents, and community spaces. We don’t want to be like the many Chinatowns across the U.S. that have disappeared over the last 50 years because of racism, redevelopment, and infrastructure projects. Examples include San Jose, Detroit, Washington, D.C., and Portland. Many more are fighting for survival—including Seattle.
The good news is that Sound Transit has proposed two station alternate locations that minimize disruption in the heart of the CID, offer similar regional connectivity, and could spur hundreds of community-owned affordable housing units.
The proposed locations include one at Yesler and 4th that would connect by tunnel to the Pioneer Square station, and one at Dearborn and 6th Street. Both could be built for less money and pose fewer construction delay risks than the 4th Ave option.
The CID north station would provide the regional hub that many transit advocates say is critical for people to transfer to and from the three lines that will eventually run through downtown Seattle. Unlike 4th Avenue, the CID north option has land nearby that Sound Transit can acquire for construction staging, and sell back to the community for affordable housing. And Sound Transit, in partnership with Seattle, can invest in streetscaping that will make the short walk between Yesler and Jackson safer for pedestrians.
The CID south station has similar benefits. It would be just one block south of Uwajimaya, and could catalyze both new, welcoming streetscaping and affordable housing on nearby land. Visitors to the CID could get off here and walk only three blocks to experience all the CID has to offer. It would also offer another station for stadium-goers that would relieve the pressure of game day crowding.
Moreover, the north and south CID station locations appear to come with less of a risk of delay. The proposed 4th Avenue Station would be laid into liquefaction prone soil and under the 4th Avenue Viaduct, with the potential for surprises that add to the construction timeline—the Highway 99 deep bore tunnel is an example. 10 years of construction could turn into 15.
All things being equal, if there were no construction impacts, the full CID community would likely want a station that directly connects to our current transit hub at Union station. But that option is not on the table, and the risk of a decade of disruption causing the permanent displacement of our unique neighborhood is too high and not a tradeoff that is acceptable or justifiable.
Christina Shimizu, Executive Director Puget Sound Sage
Bettie Luke, Diversity Trainer & Educator
Binko Chiong-Bisbee, Owner KOBO at Higo
Let’s be honest …. Chinatown is declining and will be destroyed unless there is change. Change requires construction. The buildings in Chinatown are old and most are in need of significant repair or replacement. As a neighborhood Chinatown has more old buildings than other Seattle communities. To not want change is to put our heads in the sand.
Many who are opposed to the 4th Avenue Shallow Station do not live in Chinatown. I do live in Chinatown and am a regular user of the Link light rail as I don’t own a car. I am also an elder. Having easy access to the current CID light rail station in which I have direct access to all light rail lines from one station location is very important to Chinatown residents like myself. Light rail provides me with the fastest and affordable way to go shopping and to attend medical appointments. As a frequent air traveler, I take light rail directly to SeaTac from the CID station. This will no longer be the case if the North or South of CID station alternatives are selected instead of 4th Avenue station, as I will have to transfer trains with accompanying luggage to get to the airport.
The CID Station location is part of the transportation hub for all Sound Transit trains, Link light rail and buses, Amtrak trains, Seattle Streetcar, Metro buses. Having the 4th Ave Shallow station at this location will expand the transportation hub’s outreach, offering more people access to Chinatown to live, work and visit. To by pass Chinatown with a North or South of CID station is extremely shortsighted.
A 4th Avenue station would also benefit from the activation and planned improvements to this Union Station, which is now underutilized with its Plaza area in need of safety and physical improvements. An active and improved Union Station will benefit the community as well as those using the light rail station.
As a resident of Chinatown, I am more than willing to put up with the construction work and noise, additional traffic and inconvenience, to ultimately achieve a long lasting easily accessible CID station serving all corners of King County and beyond. The new station will make Chinatown more accessible and help revitalize Chinatown for future generations.
The original ST3 plan as approved by the majority of voters had it right in its expansion plans, where all three Seattle light rail lines would have direct connections at the Chinatown station. The 4th Ave Shallow station is what is best for all Chinatown residents and to prevent Chinatown from further decline.
The larger question is this transit vision even relevant anymore now that office workers are staying home. The open checkbook that Sound Transit was given by voters mean never having to say you are sorry. Does it also mean outdated and unnecessary transit planning must be continued?