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MARCH 9, 2022
VOL. 103, NO. 10
Identifying ideal routes
Residents can comment on early West Seattle, Ballard Link extension proposals through April
Graphic courtesy Sound Transit This graphic produced by Sound Transit shows the different routes and possible station locations identified for further consideration in a draft environmental impact statement.
Sound Transit is seeking public comment for its West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions draft environmental impact statement and hosting upcoming informational meetings on the project. Once complete, the project, which is an 11.8-mile corridor through Seattle, will expand the regional light rail system from downtown Seattle to West Seattle and north from downtown Seattle to Ballard. The project is part of the Sound Transit 3 Plan, for which funding was approved by voters in 2016. Residents are invited to learn more about the project segments at four Zoom public hearings: • Interbay/Ballard: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. March 15, https://soundtransit-org.zoom.us/j/87644282579. • Downtown: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. March 22, https://soundtransit-org.zoom.us/j/89213875751. • Chinatown-International District/SODO: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., March 24, https://soundtransit-org. zoom.us/j/85912882369 • West Seattle/Duwamish: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., March 30, https://soundtransit-org.zoom. us/j/89730659942 A corridor-wide, in-person event will take place from noon to 7 p.m. March 17 at Union Station, 401 S. Jackson St. As part of the draft EIS process, residents can also offer input on the different alternative routes proposed by the Sound Transit Authority Board, the impacts they could have on the neighborhoods and other considerations through April 28. Emailed comments should be sent to WSBLEDEIScomments@ soundtransit.org, or they can be submitted online at https://wsblink.participate.online/ or left as a voicemail at 800-471-0879. Written comments should be sent to: WSBLE Draft Environmental Impact Statement Comments; c/o Lauren Swift; Sound Transit; 401 S. Jackson St.; Seattle, WA 98104. According to Sound Transit information, the West Seattle Link Extension would be about 4.7 miles and includes stations at SODO, Delridge, Avalon and Alaska Junction. The Ballard Link Extension would be about 7.1 miles from Downtown Seattle to Ballard’s Northwest Market Street area and includes a new 3.3-mile
SEE COMMENT, PAGE 4
City invests $8 Million to benefit small businesses
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and the Seattle Office of Economic Development, last week, announced the launch of the Capital Access Program — a new partnership with local community development financial institutions that will connect small businesses to flexible working capital loans, according to a city press release. OED is investing $3 million in Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds and $5 million in
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funding from the Equitable Communities Taskforce to finance the Capital Access Program. The new Capital Access Program will leverage city funding to lower the cost of Washington State Small Business Flex Fund loans for eligible small businesses by paying down 25 percent of the loan principal. Small businesses can borrow up to $150,000 with 4 percent interest to use on business expenses such as payroll, utilities
and rent, supplies, marketing and advertising, building improvements or repairs and other business expenses. Applications must be submitted by April 8 at 5 p.m. “This new Capital Access Program meets the urgent needs of small businesses trying to recover from the pandemic, especially BIPOC- and immigrant-owned small business owners who often lack sufficient equity to secure
loans through regular banks or have greater challenges navigating the loan application process,” Seattle Councilmember Sara Nelson, Chair of the Economic Development Committee, said in a press release. “Not only will this program help entrepreneurs get a loan, it will also ease their long-term debt obligation. That’s precisely the kind of investment
SEE CAPITAL, PAGE 4
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