Sound Transit is advancing the West Seattle Link Extension project, which will extend light rail service from SODO to Alaska Junction. Based on the current project design, Sound Transit will need to acquire part or all of your property for temporary or possibly permanent use to construct and operate the project.

The West Seattle Link Extension requires property in certain locations for trackway, stations, access, utilities, construction activities, and ongoing maintenance needs.

Every property is different. A Sound Transit team member will meet with you to explain what is needed for your specific property and answer questions about how the project may affect you.

Depending on project needs, Sound Transit may need to acquire:

• An entire property.
• A portion of a property.
• A permanent right to use part of a property.
• A temporary right to use part of a property during construction.

The Sound Transit Board will consider whether to authorize Sound Transit Real Property staff to move forward with acquiring property needed for the West Seattle Link Extension project at various times during the project’s final design phase.

Board authorization allows Sound Transit to start the formal property acquisition process. If the Board approves the authorization, it does not mean Sound Transit owns your property and it does not mean you need to move, sell your property, or make any immediate decisions.

After Board action, a member of Sound Transit’s Real Property team will continue to work directly with you to explain the process, answer questions, discuss how the project affects your property, and outline the next steps.

Property acquisition is a multi-step process that takes time. You will receive additional information and have opportunities to ask questions before any property acquisition is completed.

No, Board authorization does not mean Sound Transit owns your property. You will continue to own your property unless and until Sound Transit completes a property acquisition and ownership is formally transferred.

Board authorization is an important step in the process, but it does not change ownership of your property. It also does not mean you need to move, sell your property, or make any immediate decisions. It enables Sound Transit Real Property staff to begin the next steps to work with you towards an appraisal and offer.

Receiving this notice does not mean you need to move immediately or that you may need to move at all. If relocation is necessary, Sound Transit will provide advance notice and work directly with you throughout the relocation process.

Every property is different and schedules can vary depending on project needs and the circumstances of a particular property, however the acquisition process typically takes more than a year to complete. To help ensure you get the information you need, a member of Sound Transit’s Real Property team will work directly with you to explain the anticipated timeline, answer questions, and help you understand what to expect.

Sound Transit is committed to keeping property owners and tenants informed throughout the process, and you will receive additional information well before any move is required.

You won’t be on your own. If you’re displaced by the project, Sound Transit assigns a relocation specialist to work with you. That person will explain your rights and benefits in writing, provide current listings and referrals to comparable available properties, and help you with claim forms and paperwork.

You also remain free to find your own replacement property, use your own agent or broker, and choose where you move. Sound Transit does not purchase, rent, or sign a lease on your behalf — the decision is yours.

For residential displacements, Sound Transit is required to make comparable replacement housing available to you before you can be required to move.

• The Sound Transit Board will consider authorizing property acquisition.
• Real Property staff will contact you regarding next steps.
• You will have opportunities to ask questions and meet with project staff.
• Community Engagement staff will remain available to help connect you with project resources.

Every property is unique. If your business is located on a property being acquired, Real Property staff will work directly with you to discuss the anticipated timeline, relocation services and benefits available, eligibility requirements, and procedures for obtaining assistance.

Before Sound Transit makes an offer to acquire property, an independent, licensed appraiser will typically evaluate the property’s fair market value. The appraisal considers factors such as the property’s location, size, condition, permitted uses, and recent sales of similar properties.

The appraisal helps establish the amount of “just compensation” — the fair payment required by law for property or property rights we acquire.

A member of Sound Transit’s Real Property team will explain the appraisal process, answer your questions, and discuss how the valuation applies to your specific property. You will have an opportunity to review and discuss the offer and the appraisal before any property acquisition is completed.

Sound Transit staff are available to help with questions about the project, the acquisition process, and what this means for your property. Community Engagement staff can answer general questions about the West Seattle Link Extension project and connect you with the appropriate project staff. Questions regarding appraisals, property acquisition, negotiations, relocation assistance, or other property-specific matters can be addressed by your assigned Real Property representative.

You can reach Community Engagement staff at westseattlelink@soundtransit.org or 206-903-7229. If you don’t have your assigned Real Property representative’s contact information, please let us know and we can connect you with them.

Yes. Community Engagement staff and members of the Real Property team are available for phone calls and meetings by request. The project team may also hold in-person or virtual property owner drop-in information sessions when packages of properties go to the Board for authorization.