Coming Soon: More Than 100 Additional Parking Spaces for Sound Transit

The Sound Transit Board of Directors on Thursday approved a five-year lease agreement with Salish Crossing, LLC, to provide a 103-space parking lot next to the Edmonds Sounder Station.

The new lot at 190 Sunset Ave. S., at the site of the Edmonds Antique Mall, will open May 1. Salish Crossing, which purchased the Edmonds Antique Mall property in September, will own and maintain the facility.

The agency is also finalizing a short-term lease with Salish Crossing to provide 53 temporary parking spaces at the site beginning Dec. 1.

"This is great news for people who ride Sounder," said Sound Transit Boardmember and Edmonds Mayor Dave Earling. "As ridership on the north line continues its double-digit growth, more citizens will be able to take advantage of the outstanding commuter rail service Sounder provides."

Sounder ridership on the north line grew nearly 25 percent in August compared to August of last year, and more than 19 percent in September, which saw a record 1,212 weekday boardings.

The agreement addresses a shortage of Sounder parking at the Edmonds Station. The additional parking will supplement 156 spaces already provided at the station.

Execution of the agreement is contingent on Board adoption of the Sound Transit 2013 budget. Salish Crossing will construct, own and maintain the facility.