Federal funding for Sound Transit's Federal Way Link extension and a new transit-oriented land use plan are changing the future of Federal Way.
A pair of articles updates the status of concurrent transit and land use planning efforts around the planned Link extension to the city of Federal Way, located between Seattle and Tacoma.
First, Stephen Fesler details the initial stages of a subarea planning process for the "City South" area in Federal Way. The plan is already being touted as a way to "[expand] the status quo land use or moving toward development of a mixed-use, transit-oriented district," but four distinct alternatives are currently under consideration, according to the article. Federal Way recently wrapped up an initial online open house to solicit feedback on the subarea plan.
In the second article, Doug Trumm reports that the U.S. Department of Transportation had agreed to fund the Federal Way Link extension to the tune of a $790 million grant and a $629 million loan.
"With $1.4 billion in federal backing, the 7.8-mile extension should be able to advance as planned to a 2024 opening. Major construction will start next year," reports Trumm.
Trumm sets the funding announcement in context of the Trump administration's reluctance to fund Congress-approved allocations for transit. With the Federal Way funding on the way and the Lynwood Link receiving tardy funding that slightly delayed its opening, Seattle region transit projects seems to have escaped its worst fears for transit projects under the Trump administration's control of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
FULL STORY: Federal Way Is Planning a Transit-Oriented District
$158 Million in American Rescue Plan Funding Going to Seattle-Area Light Rail Projects
New Capital Investment Grant funding was announced earlier this month.
Sooner Rather Than Later: Support Builds for Eastside-Only Light Rail in Seattle
The Eastside Link light rail route, now known as Line 2, is delayed. A Sound Transit board officials is suggesting that some of the route can open soon, while the rest of the route is prepped to open later.
Superyachts Calling the Shots for How Light Rail Gets Built in Seattle
Determinations made by the Coast Guard to accommodate superyachts will affect the price of light rail and other bridge projects in Seattle and environs.
Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units
Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process
The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.
Study: 4% of Truckers Lack a Valid Commercial License
Over 56% of inspected trucks had other violations.
Chicago Judge Orders Thousands of Accessible Ped Signals
Only 3% of the city's crossing signals are currently accessible to blind pedestrians.
Philadelphia Swaps Car Lanes for Bikeways in Unanimous Vote
The project will transform one of the handful of streets responsible for 80% of the city’s major crashes.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Mt Shasta
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)