Graham Street Station Update

Hi all, So much progress has been happening with the Graham Street Station, and I am long overdue in sending an update. Here's the most recent excitement - Mayor Ed Murray announced today that his Move Seattle ballot measure (which will replace the expiring Bridging the Gap program) will include some funding for a Graham Street light rail station. I haven't seen the unveiled plan yet, but heard through the grapevine that the amount earmarked for Graham Street would be $10 mil if the ballot measure passes. Probably not enough to complete the station (the total project budget is currently estimated to be in the $30 mil neighborhood), but enough to get started, incentivize the Sound Transit board to commit funding, and would ensure the station gets built sooner rather than later. If you have a chance, thank the mayor! http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/get-involved/contact-the-mayor In other news, a bunch of us (Transportation Choices Coalition, Puget Sound Sage, the Filipino Community Center, On Board Othello, OneAmerica, and others) met last month with Mike O'Brien (Seattle City Council member and member of the Sound Transit board) and his aide, Esther Handy, to talk about strategies for advocating for the Graham Street Station and best sources for funding. It was a great meeting, and there will be more in the future! We talked about inviting Sound Transit Board members to Plate of Nations (which starts 3/27 - mark your calendars), taking board members on walking tours, etc. We'd also like to come up with some campaign messaging/branding and continue outreach to local businesses and organizations. Any artists out there? It would be great to develop a visual rendering of what the Graham Street intersection and nearby corridor could look like with a station there, featuring the Filipino Community Center expansion, more pedestrian-friendly access to the Viet Wah shopping center and the Co Lam Temple, etc. If you're interested in participating in future meetings, or have ideas or talents you'd like to offer, we could use your help! Please contact me at karen@drizzle.net (put "Graham Street" in the subject line) if you'd like to get involved. Thanks everyone! Karen