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Sound Transit Public Meeting Coming to Auburn Jan. 27

AUBURN, Wash. - January 19, 2011 - On Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011, Sound Transit is holding an open house to discuss its Sounder Station Access Study from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Auburn City Hall Council Chambers located at 25 West Main St. Mayor Lewis is encouraging residents to attend this important meeting to let Sound Transit know Auburn's desire for a second parking garage to be built at the Auburn Sounder Station.

The current fate of the second parking garage is uncertain. Sound Transit has told the City that because of reduced revenue expectations it has to prioritize and will be delaying some projects, perhaps indefinitely. In 2008, the Sound Transit II ballot measure was presented to voters in the region and included the second parking garage in Auburn. Sound Transit assured city officials that if Sound II passed they would build the second parking garage. It passed by a large margin and the Director of Sound Transit reiterated to City officials that the garage would be built.

"The existing garage is at capacity and available parking options are limited," says Auburn Mayor Pete Lewis. "The City of Auburn has done its part to find alternatives to the lack of parking availability."

Thus far, the City has partnered financially with Pierce Transit, King County Metro and Sound Transit to provide a shuttle to the garage, partnered with Metro on their VanShare program and encourages citizens to carpool to the existing garage when possible, according to Lewis.

Sound Transit’s Access Study is supposed to identify potential improvements for commuters to access commuter rail stations like the one in Auburn and has identified potential station enhancements that could include increased parking, pedestrian sidewalks, crosswalks and bridges, bicycle commute options, and transit facility improvements.

"The need for a second parking garage in Auburn is clear," says Lewis. "Plan to be there and let Sound Transit know how important the second garage is to Auburn."

For more information on this meeting, contact the City of Auburn Planning Department at 253-931-3090.

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City of Auburn
25 West Main St.
Auburn, WA 98001
www.auburnwa.gov