Bellevue gets new deal on East Link light rail

Cascade PBS Staff Feb 6, 2018

Feb 6, 2018

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                <h1>Bellevue gets new deal on East Link light rail</h1>
                <h2><p>Bellevue has finalized negotiations with Sound Transit for the East Link light-rail extension that should leave the city with a little more cash and curb appeal. As the Seattle Times reports, when Sound Transit decided last year on putting a light-rail maintenance yard adjacent to the city's multibillion</p></h2>
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               <p>By <a href="/author/cascade-pbs-staff/">Cascade PBS Staff</a></p> 
              <p><time datetime="2025-02-04T05:00:00-08:00">Feb 6, 2018</time></p>
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            <p>Bellevue has finalized negotiations with Sound Transit for the East Link light-rail extension that should leave the city with a little more cash and curb appeal. <a href="http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/eastside/bellevue-mayor-on-revised-light-rail-deal-lemonade-with-sweetener/?ref=cascadepbs.org">As the Seattle Times reports</a>, when Sound Transit decided last year on putting a light-rail maintenance yard adjacent to the city's multibillion dollar Spring District development, Bellevue city officials were less than pleased.</p><p>Now, after months of debate, Sound Transit has agreed to make the maintenance yard smaller and allow 1.6 million square feet of commercial and residential development on the edge of the Spring District, enhancing the site. The City of Bellevue will also get a $60 million break on its contributions to the cost of a rail tunnel.  Bellevue will grant the agency permission to start construction on the Eastside light-rail corridor as soon as next year to begin service in 2023.</p><p>It's all subject to final approval by the Bellevue City Council, which will likely hold a vote late this month.</p>
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Bellevue has finalized negotiations with Sound Transit for the East Link light-rail extension that should leave the city with a little more cash and curb appeal. As the Seattle Times reports, when Sound Transit decided last year on putting a light-rail maintenance yard adjacent to the city's multibillion dollar Spring District development, Bellevue city officials were less than pleased.

Now, after months of debate, Sound Transit has agreed to make the maintenance yard smaller and allow 1.6 million square feet of commercial and residential development on the edge of the Spring District, enhancing the site. The City of Bellevue will also get a $60 million break on its contributions to the cost of a rail tunnel. Bellevue will grant the agency permission to start construction on the Eastside light-rail corridor as soon as next year to begin service in 2023.

It's all subject to final approval by the Bellevue City Council, which will likely hold a vote late this month.