Northgate Station Area Planning

We partnered with King County, Sound Transit, Puget Sound Regional Council, and the Northgate community to create a complete, connected transit community surrounding the Northgate light rail station.

The Urban Design Framework (UDF) we are creating will help the public, future developers, and City leaders to understand how growth could occur and how future development can help meet community needs by:

  • Refining the ideas presented in Northgate Transit-Oriented Development Urban Design Study
  • Illustrating future building development and public spaces for the area closest to the transit station
  • Identifying key design concepts for Northgate’s Urban Center to create a healthier, more livable and welcoming community

Project Benefits

The purpose of our Northgate Urban Design Framework is to visualize how the Northgate transit community can grow, and to guide future investments by:

  • Improving pedestrian and bicycle connections to and from the transit center
  • Making transit transfers more convenient
  • Encouraging attractive and engaging public spaces and streetscapes
  • Increasing access to affordable housing
  • Strengthening the community’s sense of place
  • Creating a healthy and sustainable community

The End Result

Northgate will become a healthier and and more livable community.

Project Documents

Documents from July 2013 Open House

We hosted an open house on July 30 at Aljoya apartments in Northgate to give you an initial look at our draft UDF findings. About 50 people attended. Also, on July 31, we presented materials at the Maple Leaf neighborhood social event.

Our draft UDF is the latest in a series of plans and studies about Northgate, including our 2011 / 2012 Urban Design Study. Its ideas relate to that study and are also based on input, gathered in 2011-2013, from presentations to local community councils in surrounding neighborhoods and meetings with resident groups, including many groups we had not heard from in the past.

Previous Urban Design Study (2011-2012)

This study provided initial ideas for the station area. You can see the results of your input below.

Northgate Light Rail Station Area Open House #2 Meeting Material (December 2011)

Northgate Light Rail Station Area Open House #1 Meeting Material (July 2011)

 

Background

Northgate Guidelines and Plans and Studies:

Citywide or Plans and Studies

  • Comprehensive Plan (2004)
    A long range plan that shapes how Seattle will grow over the next 20 years.
  • Citywide Design Guidelines
    These guidelines are the primary tool used by the Design Review Boards to evaluate proposed new development.

Sound Transit Plans and Studies for North Link and Northgate Station

Topics of Interest

Other projects you might be interested in:

PSRC Growing Transit Communities is a local planning project focused on equitable transit oriented development led by the Puget Sound regional Council.

Seattle Transit Communities is a blueprint by the Seattle Planning Commission for creating compact, connected communities near transit in the City of Seattle.

Reconnecting America / Center for Transit Oriented Development is a national nonprofit that focuses on improving practice through technical assistance, research and policy reform, and disseminating best practices in regions across the country.

Project Timeline

July 2011
Public Open House

November 2011
Briefing for City Council

December 2011
Public Open House

March 2012
Transit-Oriented Development Urban Design Study Released

2013
Citizen Focus Groups
Public Open House
City Council Briefing
Urban Design Framework Released
City Council Adopts Urban Design Framework

2014
Northgate Station Construction Starts

Planning and Community Development

Rico Quirindongo, Director
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 94788, Seattle, WA, 98124-7088
Phone: (206) 386-1010
opcd@seattle.gov

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The Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD) develops policies and plans for an equitable and sustainable future. We partner with neighborhoods, businesses, agencies and others to bring about positive change and coordinate investments for our Seattle communities.