Suggest Names and Designs For Tacoma Link’s Newest Stations
Tacoma Link at Convention Center Station
Sound Transit is asking the public for input on designs and names for seven new light rail stations on Tacoma Link's Hilltop extension, via this survey. The project is expected to begin construction in 2018 and open for service in 2022, bringing trains every 10 minutes to the MLK Way corridor west of downtown Tacoma.
The survey has two basic canopy styles, developed by project architects Waterleaf (who have experience in streetcar maintenance facilities, including First Hill's in Chinatown). "Option A" is a simple glass canopy with a separate column for a sign with the station's name, while "Option B" tacks on the sign on the end of the canopy structure. The final option will have two variants for 60-foot and 100-foot platforms, as seen in the layout documents posted by Sound Transit.
Design Option A (above) and Option B (below) - Waterleaf Architecture / Sound Transit
The extension will also require the construction of four traction power substations, which will be enclosed by a decorated fence and shrubbery, as seen during this December presentation. The survey also includes a comment field for the design of the substations, which will be located at Stadium Way & S. 2nd Street, N. I Street & N. 2nd Street, S. 5th Street & MLK Way, and MLK Way & S. 15th Street.
As always, the station naming policy set by Sound Transit in 2012 includes requirements to be brief, avoid commercial references and similarities to existing names, and a reflection of the local environment. There are seven stations that will be part of the Hilltop extension:
- The relocated Theater District/S. 9th station (currently the line's terminus)
- Stadium Way and S. 4th Street
- Stadium District (N. 1st Street & N. Tacoma Avenue)
- MLK Way & S. 3rd Street
- MLK Way & S. 6th Avenue
- MLK Way & S. 11th Street
- MLK Way & S. 19th Street
Tacoma Weekly also reports that the project has $175 million in FTA grants that are still in limbo following recent developments, but says that Sound Transit is working in the other Washington to keep those grants alive.