It went pretty quickly, all things considered. Given the way things typically go for Sound Transit, the time between the news that the First Hill station might be dropped and the actual board vote confirming its elimination moved at a record pace.
The board, acting on staff recommendations, pointed to the considerable cost of building the station, the increased risk to federal funding if it did, as well as delays. Additionally, the station's depth posed greater safety concerns than originally expected.
Even still, this was the wrong decision.
There is no question that safety and financial concerns are serious, legitimate and even determinant issues. But dropping First Hill from the light rail line abandons a neighborhood particularly suited to light rail and diminishes the network Sound Transit was charged to build.
Consider that First Hill is practically a model neighborhood for light rail. It's a high density neighborhood that includes many residents who do not own cars. There's a major university and, with hospitals like Swedish and Virginia Mason, several major employment centers. First Hill's profile is almost a blueprint for the kind of urban transit system Sound Transit wants to serve. Not only that, but there was less opposition to the project than in many other neighborhoods. Losing light rail on First Hill undermines the line's legitimacy.
As for safety, shouldn't Sound Transit have known more about the soil conditions earlier?
For these reasons, Sound Transit should have found a way to keep light rail on First Hill. That such a position might have delayed the project is a red herring. Light rail isn't slated to come north from downtown until something like 2016 anyway. We could wait a little longer. (Keep in mind that the original Sound Transit project voters approved in 1996 had light rail beginning operations next year.)
Sound Transit CEO Joni Earl, often lauded for resurrecting Sound Transit after the dark days of 2000/2001, did speak to the idea of improving transit service for First Hill in the short term while more far-reaching options are considered. It was the right thing to say, and the board made similar comments.
The agency needs to make good on its word. Having bailed on light rail for First Hill, Sound Transit needs to make sure it doesn't bail on the neighborhood altogether.
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