EVERETT — Commuters next year will likely have 80 more parking spaces to choose from at Everett Station.
Everett had plans to use the lot where the Swift Blue Line terminal now sits for parking. When the land was repurposed for the bus rapid transit line, the city committed to adding stalls if needed, said Kari Goepfert, a spokesperson for Everett.
“We are being proactive in adding parking before it becomes a critical need,” Goepfert said. “Additionally, we believe that the cost to do this work would be higher if we wait.”
Work is expected to start this fall and take about a year to complete.
To accommodate the new spaces, the parking lot along Smith Avenue just south of the Swift terminal will be expanded. In 2017, Everett Transit purchased about 5 acres in the area, and plans to use about an acre for the project, Goepfert said.
There are about 900 spaces at the station spread out across three lots, two of which often are nearly full, said Goepfert. The lot east of the station is generally between 70 and 90 percent occupied, according to city data.
Along with the new spots, parking for up to 20 bicycles, an underground storm water detention system and lighting will also be included.
A $750,000 grant from the state Department of Transportation is funding a portion of the asphalt lot, which is estimated to cost $2.2 million. Everett Transit is kicking in the rest.
The city is hoping Sound Transit will also contribute money to the new spaces, though the agency has no obligation to do so.
The project is expected to go out for bid in mid-August.
Lizz Giordano: 425-374-4165; egiordano@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @lizzgior.
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