Commissioners seek timeline for Veterans Park Trail; city staff says late October–early November tentative

Commissioners at the Aug. 25 Mountlake Terrace Planning Commission meeting pressed staff for an update on the Veterans Park Trail and discussed related parking and pedestrian access issues around the transit center.

When asked about completion, the Director, City of Mountlake Terrace, said, “Right. My understanding is that… tentatively late October, early November was what they were anticipating to complete that.” The Director said staff would check and report back if that timing changes.

Commissioners and staff discussed how the trail is intended to connect to the transit center sidewalk rather than ending at a stairway into the bus loop. The Director said the city opposed a stair‑down design proposed for the light‑rail station, calling it, “Frogger. Basically, you’re having people come down steps right where the bus loop is,” and said the trail is meant to provide a direct, ADA‑friendlier route to the sidewalk.

The conversation broadened to parking near the transit center. The Director said Sound Transit had opened the station under a temporary certificate of occupancy and that certain remaining permits, road resurfacing, trail connections and haul‑route impacts were still unresolved. The Director also said Community Transit currently owns the adjacent parking garage and that Sound Transit had been negotiating to acquire it; staff said a future decision by Sound Transit to begin charging for parking could push commuters to park in other locations and increase pressure on nearby streets and lots.

Commissioners discussed potential responses, including parking management in nearby neighborhoods, shared parking or structured parking provided by developers, and the possibility that future projects (including the Candela property adjacent to the transit center) could add underground parking that might be sublet for commuter parking. Staff said they had not received formal applications for some of the potential redevelopment discussed and that timelines remain contingent on private financing and permitting.

No formal action was taken on the trail or parking topics at the Aug. 25 meeting; the discussion was recorded as miscellaneous business and staff follow‑up.