Sound Transit proposes parcel transfer to Seattle for affordable housing

Sound Transit is seeking public input on a proposal to transfer 16 tax parcels comprising 10 development sites in the Rainier Valley to the city of Seattle at no cost to develop affordable housing.

On Feb. 4, Sound Transit will host a virtual public hearing to gather input on the transfer proposal.

When Sound Transit built its Link light-rail through the Rainier Valley, the agency purchased several small pieces of property adjacent to the line for construction purposes. Sites near the Mount Baker, Columbia City and Othello light-rail stations are no longer needed, Sound Transit officials said in a press release.

In October 2020, Sound Transit’s board adopted a resolution that declared the sites suitable for housing and authorized staff to negotiate a no-cost transfer of the sites to the city for that purpose.