Envision Midway: Future rail corridor from airport to Kent slowly taking shape

Sound Transit light rail expansion to Highline Community College and South 272nd may force the business near the college and on Pacific Highway to relocate for a light rail station.

Sound Transit light rail expansion to Highline Community College and South 272nd may force the business near the college and on Pacific Highway to relocate for a light rail station.

When Sound Transit expands light rail along Pacific Highway from Sea-Tac Airport to Kent by 2020, city officials want to help turn the area into a transit-oriented corridor with high-rise buildings to house businesses and residents.

City planners presented an overview of Envision Midway at a Kent City Council workshop Aug. 18 at City Hall. Envision Midway is a collaborative planning effort between the state, and the cities of Kent and Des Moines.

The Midway area stretches for 3 1/2 miles between South 216th Street and South 272nd Street along Pacific Highway. Sound Transit plans to expand light rail by 2020 to Highline Community College near South 240th Street and by 2023 to South 272nd Street.

“Our vision is to transform an auto-oriented corridor into a transit-oriented corridor,” said Gloria Gould-Wessen, Kent city planner, at the workshop. “It would be a dense development and pedestrian-friendly to support the transit coming in the next 10 to 15 years.”

City planners expect to submit an ordinance to the Council early next year to seek its approval on new design guidelines and development regulations for the Midway area.

“I think we’re going in the right direction,” Councilwoman Deborah Ranniger said at the workshop. “The (light rail) hub near the Highline Community College campus makes sense because of all of the synergy there.”

Council members agreed that they would like to see the proposed, elevated light-rail station along Pacific Highway near Highline to be built on the east side of the highway.

Councilman Tim Clark said a light-rail station on the east side of the highway would allow more room for development around the station compared to the west side that would sit next to the Highline and limit the ability of the college to expand its campus.

“The businesses on the east side could be easily moved,” Clark said.

City officials already have held meetings with residents and developers on the Midway proposal to get their input on redevelopment in the area.

“Building heights could go up to 200 feet, which is about 16 stories,” Gould-Wessen said. “We showed people computer models and the small section of the community that attended (meetings) thought that was a great idea and that they would move to a condo there.”

Councilwoman Elizabeth Albertson said the goal of the redevelopment would be to build up rather than more strip malls.

“It could be a Trader Joe’s on the bottom with apartments above rather than a flat Trader Joe’s,” Albertson said.

Councilman Ron Harmon said it will be important to find developers who would like to partner with the city to help achieve the goals for urban housing and shopping along the light-rail line.

Albertson suggested the city might want to offer developers a multi-use, property-tax exemption similar to what the Council approved earlier this year to encourage downtown development.

“One way to make it happen is to encourage the type of development we want,” Albertson said.

Residents will get a chance to comment at a public hearing on the Envision Midway plan when the proposal goes this fall before the city Land Use and Planning Board. City staff has yet to set a date for the public hearing.

For more information about Envision Midway, go to www.envisionmidway.com, or call city planner Gloria Gould-Wessen at 253-856-5441.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website http://kowloonland.com.hk/?big=submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

Courtesy Photo, King County
Prolific tagger faces charges for damage to Kent water tower

Man one of dozens who reportedly tagged properties across King County, including West Hill tower

t
Federal Way man charged in Kent I-5 crash that killed passenger

Documents state that evidence reportedly showed he was the driver, but he blamed the passenger.

The Kent Police Department went all out with their “Moana” themed display - even Maui showed up. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
The Hogwarts Express pulls into Battle of the Badges | Photos

The 2024 Battle of the Badges took over the Renton Technical College on Dec. 14.

Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent Police
City of Kent crime numbers drop in 2024 compared to 2023

Vehicle thefts, commercial burglaries and robberies see big decreases

Courtesy Photo, Kent School District
Kent School District says it ‘will do better next time’ with school closures

Late notifications issued about closures after Dec. 18 windstorm

t
Kent Police arrest pair for downtown robbery of pedestrian

Reportedly used pepper spray to attack Kent man, 56, as he walked on sidewalk Dec. 16

Meeker Middle School, one of six schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18 in the Kent School District due to power outages from a windstorm. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Windstorm causes closure of six Kent schools due to power outages

Four elementary, two middle schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18; couple of city roads closed

Volunteers wrap gifts during the 2023 Toys for Joy program. COURTESY PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire
Puget Sound Fire puts out plea for more Toys for Joy donations

Toys needed for children ages 9 to 12; more bikes, scooters requested; deadline is Dec. 20

t
Kent man, 19, faces multiple charges after pursuit near Wenatchee

Driver reportedly fails to stop for state trooper, crashes stolen vehicle along State Route 97

Kent School District Board Director Awale Farah, left, and Superintendent Israel Vela at a high school graduation last summer. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Awale Farah resigns immediately from Kent School Board

Says because of ‘family commitments’ he cannot fulfill rest of his term that expires in November 2025

t
Kent’s Lower Russell Levee project receives John Spellman Award

City, King County Flood District and other partners recognized for historic preservation

Northwood Middle School, 17007 SE 184th St., in unincorporated part of King County in Renton and part of the Kent School District. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Calls about man trying to access Northwood Middle School causes lockdown

Deputies arrest man for investigation of resisting arrest, obstruction at Kent School District property