Light rail system seen as key to area's future

By MARK HIGGINS
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

Another major change coming to the valley is LINK, the regional light-rail transit system. At least two LINK stations were promised in north Rainier Valley as a part of the ballot measure approved by voters in November 1996.

Planners for the Regional Transit Authority are studying various stations sites and rail alignments, including segments that would travel at or above-grade along Martin Luther King Jr. Way or Rainier Avenue South. It is expected that one of the valley stations will be at Interstate 90.

The coming rail system has proved to be a powerful motivator for the valley's neighborhood planning effort, say Paul Thienes and Barbara Alten, co-chairs of the north Rainier Valley neighborhood planning effort.

Just as residents felt passionately about the restoration of Franklin High School, they also feel strongly that the light rail track must not be elevated if it blocks views of Mount Rainier to the south.

"When we attend meetings," says Thienes, "that is one of a few really important symbols to the community."