November 4, 1994

PRIVATE PARTICIPATION LIKELY ON KING STREET STATION

By Maude Scott

Journal staff reporter

Ron Borowski, project manager for the Seattle Engineering Dept.'s study of King Street Station, said if the city decides to create a multi-modal facility at King Street Station public/private partnerships would likely be involved in its development.

The city is reviewing a draft EIS to be released this month for creating a safe, visible and easily accessible inter-modal transit station. Amtrak, commuter rail, intercity buses, airport shuttle services, taxis and perhaps one day a high speed rail line running from Eugene, Ore., to Vancouver, B.C., would pass though the station. It would also provide a visitors center and connections to the ferry terminal.

Borowski estimates 17,000 people a day would use the facility by the year 2000, though if the Regional Transit Authority fails to get approval for a rail system that number would be reduced by 10,000 and the project would be scaled back.

Burlington Northern, Union Pacific, the state Dept. of Transportation, Amtrak and private bus carriers have been involved in the study and are supportive of the plan, Borowski said. ``But we haven't gotten to the point of saying, `Do you want to be part of it and how much money will you put up?' ''

Neighbors in the International District and Pioneer Square area have concerns about increased traffic and crime and Borowski said if the city council decides to go ahead with such a facility the city would develop a safety program to deal with their concerns.

Two years ago the cost was estimated at $25 million, excluding the property acquisition. Borowski said some features have been added to the concept since then and he does not know what the eventual cost would be.

Commercial office space would be included in the station on the second and third floors. The lid south of Union Station has been proposed for a one million square foot, mixed use development and Paul Allen has talked about the area as a potential site for his Jimi Hendrix museum. Wright Runstad had planned to develop a parcel at Fourth and Jackson but sold it to a parking lot operator. Borowski said the facility would not prohibit development of that site.

More study is needed to see how such a facility fits into the region's transportation picture and what entity should take on such a project. But Borowski said this is the most logical area for a inter-modal terminal because it is at the intersection of transportation services to the south and Eastside and half a block from the bus tunnel. ``You can't get any better location,'' he said.