[Update: Sound Transit has now said the 3 workshops below, while technically public meetings, are not intended for large public crowds. The format is a more intimate stakeholder outreach event, and the meeting room is small. There will be other opportunities to engage later this winter.]

With the UDistrict and Mt Baker standing out as exceptions, Link-related rezones have been relatively meager and disappointing. Capitol Hill’s TOD will be beautiful but also underbuilt, and 3-story buildings are still going up on the blocks surrounding the busiest neighborhood station in the system. Beacon Hill and many Rainier Valley stations still see single-family zoning adjacent to them, and in many cases suburban jurisdictions such as Kent and Lynnwood have adopted more visionary zoning than Seattle.

To much controversy, the Roosevelt rezone adopted back in 2012 allows higher density on 20 acres immediately surrounding the station, with a mix of midrise (MR) and Neighborhood Commercial (NC 85, NC 65, NC 40), all within a new Station Overlay District. This is very similar to what was adopted at Capitol Hill, despite less existing density. This means Roosevelt’s TOD opportunities could be relatively more transformative.

At the station itself, Sound Transit will have 53,000 sq ft of surplus land available for redevelopment, most of it in a single contiguous group of parcels. After a recent open house on January 12, the Roosevelt TOD process kicks into high gear in February with 3 stakeholder workshops at Calvary Christian Church (6801 Roosevelt Way NE)

January 25, 2017 (5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.)

February 8, 2017 (5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.)

February 22, 2017 (5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.)

Please make your voice heard in favor of abundant housing, diverse commercial uses, and optimized transit, walk, and bike connections. Attend the public workshops, or take the survey that will inform Sound Transit’s RFP early this year.

Just 10 minutes from Westlake and set in a comfortable neighborhood near one of Seattle’s best open spaces (Green Lake), Roosevelt has the opportunity to be one of the most livable and accessible places in Seattle. You can help it get there.