Sound Transit is seeking input for the design of its new Kent/Des Moines station.

The station, just east of Highline on the western edge of Kent, will help connect Sound Transit’s light rail expansion that will reach from Angle Lake to Federal Way by 2024.

Sound Transit, a public transit agency serving the Seattle metropolitan area, operates the Link light rail system in Seattle and Tacoma, regional Sounder Commuter rail, and Sound Transit Express bus service.  They are asking the public for their input on ideas of how to develop land near their new Kent/Des Moines light rail station.

They own approximately four acres of land in Kent where the new station will be located that will be made available for transit-oriented development.  Earlier this year they requested the public’s input on this development.

They are now asking the community for feedback on various proposals during a virtual presentation and live question and answer session on Nov. 3 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.  You can register for the event at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85666565166?pwd=dGlFUU8zU0J4Rm5VdTZDUVZsejJhdz09.

There is also an online survey available until Nov. 15 where people can submit their ideas for the use of the land.  The survey can be found at: https://prr.mysocialpinpoint.com/kdmtod/kentdesmoinestodenglish2/

The land is currently being used to store equipment and house mobile offices and will be made available for transit-oriented development when the Federal Way Link Extension opens in 2024, according to a recent Sound Transit news release.

They welcome input from Highline students and faculty, said Edward Butterfield, Sound Transit project manager.  “Highline is a prominent piece to this development, and student and faculty input is critical,” Butterfield said.  “We are interested in the student’s perspective.”

“We met with the college a lot to learn about their housing needs as students could potentially live in this community and will be significant users of the light rail station,” Butterfield said.  “We are building a village that will connect to the college,” he said.

The primary development will consist of affordable housing units, retail, and green space and will be developed in partnership with the city of Kent.

“We are required to use the property for affordable housing,” Butterfield said.  “As per the city of Kent zoning there are also open space requirements.”

Scott Thompson, public information officeR for Sound Transit said, “The city of Kent’s Midway plan calls for a dense urban village for mixed incomes and uses.”

“This project will bring transformative change to South King County for generations and so it’s important for us to think about what that means and what it will bring for the future,” Thompson said.  “We have to think about the long range as it needs to be accessible for decades,” he said.

For more information on the project and the public involvement process, vist:  https://www.soundtransit.org/system-expansion/federal-way-link-extension.