Station Area Planning

Growing Transit-Oriented Neighborhoods Around Light Rail

As Sound Transit expands light rail across Seattle, the City and community partners are working together to plan for growth, livability, and improved mobility in neighborhoods around these future stations.

The addition of light rail offers neighborhoods the opportunity to grow in a more walkable, sustainable, transit-oriented form than they have in the past. The City will work with communities to explore how to leverage transit investments to enhance what you love about your community while making it easier and more enjoyable to get where you need to go. The Station Area Planning process will help communities build a shared vision for the future by identifying priorities for growth to guide future infrastructure and development.

Stay informed, share your feedback, and get involved as we plan for the future of our station areas.

This planning process does not address the design, construction, or operation of light rail alignments, stations, or service. Learn more about Sound Transit's system expansion, and how the City of Seattle is partnering with Sound Transit on planning for the light rail expansion.

What's Happening Now?

Graham Street Planning and Engagement

We launched community conversations during the summer of 2025 and held a block party in September to celebrate and share what we’ve heard so far. Thanks to all who attended and shared input!

We are working to document the priorities we heard from the community and will return to receive additional feedback.

Learn more about Graham Street station area planning and sign up for email updates to hear about upcoming engagement opportunities.

Delridge

We are working with local community-based organizations to help shape the engagement and planning process and identify initial challenges and opportunities. We will be launching broader engagement early in 2026.

In the meantime take our Delridge Station Area Planning survey and let us know: What makes North Delridge meaningful to you? What do you hope to see in the neighborhood two generations from now (about 50 years in the future)? What should change, and what should stay the same?

Learn more about Delridge station area planning and subscribe for Delridge email updates for upcoming engagement opportunities.

West Seattle Junction + Avalon

We will begin engagement to learn about community priorities early in 2026.

In the meantime, take our West Seattle Junction + Avalon survey and let us know: What makes North Delridge meaningful to you? What do you hope to see in the neighborhood two generations from now (about 50 years in the future)? What should change, and what should stay the same?
Learn more about West Seattle Junction + Avalon station area planning and sign up for email updates to hear about future engagement opportunities.

Learn more about West Seattle Junction + Avalon station area planning and subscribe for West Seattle Junction + Avalon email updates for future engagement opportunities.

South Downtown Hub

The City of Seattle, Sound Transit, and King County have been partnering with the community to coordinate planning for multiple projects and explore opportunities to support and grow the legacy of these communities.

Learn more about the South Downtown Hub.

Ballard Link Extension Station Areas

Planning for station areas along the Ballard Link Extension will start after station locations are finalized. Learn more about Sound Transit's Ballard Link Extension.

What makes a neighborhood Transit-Oriented?

Transit-oriented neighborhoods make it easy and enjoyable for people of all ages to get to where they need to go by walking, biking, or taking transit. These are inclusive, connected, mixed-use communities with a variety of housing types, thriving businesses, walkable streets, lively public spaces, and an emphasis on sustainable forms of moving around.

As light rail stations are built into existing neighborhoods, we will work with communities to enhance what is already there and identify community needs while supporting citywide goals:

Walkable and connected streets: Streets and transit designed for safe, easy, and enjoyable access for everyone.
Housing for all: A mix of housing types, including affordable housing and housing for families and seniors.
Strong local economy: Support existing businesses and create new opportunities for jobs and services within walking distance of more households.
Inviting public spaces: A network of welcoming places for people, public art, culture, and connection.
Healthy, resilient communities: Promote social connection, environmental sustainability, and community well-being.

Creating a Shared Vision and Action Plans

During this process, we will work with community to plan develop a shared vision, goals, and priorities that address the unique opportunities and needs of each neighborhood.

City staff learn from and collaborate with residents through surveys, meetings, focus groups, one on one discussion, walking tours, and other events to develop action plans that identify priorities and opportunities specific to each neighborhood for the following topics:

Land use
Housing
Transportation
Parks and open space
Community amenities
Environmental health
Arts and culture
Local businesses

We build on input from community members, partners, and past plans to confirm and refine the neighborhood vision.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a “station area”?

A “station area” refers to an area that is within a 10-minute walk, or approximately a half mile, from a light rail station or BRT station. Station area planning includes improving how a new station can be easily accessible by walking, rolling, biking, or taking transit within that radius, and how growth, change, and development around a planned station can support and improve neighborhoods. Station areas are often a part of or encompass an established neighborhood.

What is a Station Area/Community Action Plan?

Community Action Plans provide guidance and flexible frameworks to guide positive change and development over the next 20 years. Each Plan considers long-range goals and strategies, as well as short term actions that work within the broader objectives established for the entire city. These Plans recognize the parts of the neighborhood that community values and address the specific issues in each area. They provide direction on a variety of topics, including improved access to transit, easier mobility, housing, economy, environment, urban design, community cohesion, and new opportunities for development. Each plan outlines specific action items, projects, policies, and strategies, along with the resources needed to achieve them.

How will my input and comments be used?

Community input will shape and inform each part of the Station Area Plan, helping to create a vision for a future station area that reflects the needs and wants of the communities who live and work there today. We will work within your neighborhood to identify a vision for growth for future generations that protects the existing neighborhood culture and improves livability and movability for the future. Visit the specific project page to learn how you can get involved and share your input at each stage of the process.

How do Station Area/Community Action Plans relate to the Comprehensive Plan?

Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan lays out a 20-year vision and roadmap for Seattle's future. The plan guides decisions about where housing and jobs are located, and how the City invests in transportation, utilities, parks, and other public assets. Station Area and Neighborhood Action Plans put the Comprehensive Plan into action at the neighborhood level. Station Area Plans outline detailed action items, policies, projects, and other improvements specific to the needs and context of the unique area. These plans focus on improvements that enhance mobility, access, and livability based on a smaller area around a light rail station.

How is the City working with Sound Transit on stations and planning in neighborhoods around stations?

The City of Seattle is partnering with Sound Transit on a once-in-a-generation transit expansion. Each agency is responsible for different areas of the project, with some areas of coordination and collaboration.

Sound Transit is leading the design and construction of the West Seattle Light Rail Extension, Ballard Link Extension, and Graham and Boeing Access Road Infill Stations. Sound Transit determines station locations and track alignments, designing stations, and working with property and business owners to address potential impacts and mitigation. At certain station, Sound Transit may have surplus land after construction of the station is complete that can be used for new development, and leads the process to advance these projects. Sound Transit also engages stakeholders and the public throughout planning, design, and construction.

The City of Seattle leads the design and construction of street improvements, neighborhood planning, and other broader changes that make it safer and easier to travel to the light rail stations, ensures compliance with city codes and permit requirements. The City leads planning for transit-oriented neighborhood design around the station.

See more information on how the City and Sound Transit work together on the City’s Light Rail Expansion website.

What is Sound Transit’s timeline for construction and operation of new stations?

Please visit Sound Transit's website for details on project delivery dates.