Light rail expected to boost neighborhood businesses

Sound Transit's Light Rail opens Saturday July 18, but businesses up and down the line have been anticipating the new commerce the mass transit is expected to drum up for years.

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, who chairs the Sound Transit Board, has been the most vocal proponent of this system since the beginning. He believes LINK will transform the neighborhoods where many small businesses were forced to get out of the way.

"On Beacon Hill, you'll see a new development come back there. Broadway: a whole block and a half has been cleared for that station. When it opens up in six years, there will be significant development there."

The Rainier Valley is optimistic about a potential flood of train travelers.

"I think that it's going to be fantastic; just that it's at grade. If they're not familiar with Rainier Valley and they're going to the airport, they're going to see everything. They're going to see all the great things down here," said Susan Davis, head of the Rainier Valley Chamber of Commerce. She said she expects people to be drawn to the valley, first, by the restaurants.

The prospect of LINK is already having a positive impact there.

"I think definitely the light rail coming to Othello Station is just a real defining opportunity for the neighborhood and for our development," said Steve Rauf, CEO of Othello Partners.

His company is breaking ground on a 420,000 square foot mixed-use project located right next to the new light rail station at Othello.

"I don't believe that these projects would be possible without the arrival of light rail," said Rauf, who is confident that his 352 living units will be attractive to prospective tenants.

"You're going to be able to get to the airport in 15 minutes. You're going to be able to get to Westlake Center in 21 minutes, you'll be able to get to the stadiums in 15 minutes; Benaroya Hall, Westlake Center, Pike Place Market."