Sound Transit seeks vacation of small Auburn right of way to build second parking garage at Auburn Station

Sound Transit has petitioned Auburn to vacate roughly 1,040 square feet of city right of way at the northwest corner of First Street NW and B Street NW to accommodate improvements associated with a second parking garage at Auburn Station, city staff told council on July 28. Public Works recommended the city approve the vacation with conditions. Amber Olds, the city’s right‑of‑way specialist, told council that Sound Transit submitted a petition to vacate the triangular parcel abutting Sound Transit property to the north and BNSF railroad property to the west. Olds said BNSF signed the petition in support as an adjacent property owner. The north portion of the segment was dedicated as right of way in 1887; a northern strip was later dedicated in 2009. City staff’s review concluded the right of way was not necessary for municipal needs and recommended vacating it if an easement is reserved for Puget Sound Energy electrical facilities. Staff also recommended no compensation be required because the right of way was dedicated previously by plat or with commercial development at no cost to the city. A public hearing on the proposed vacation was scheduled for the August 18, 2025 council meeting. No council action was taken at the July 28 study session; the council will hold the public hearing and consider the ordinance in August.