The FedRack committee debated whether to renew a downtown substation lease and how the space should be used as light rail service begins nearby.

Commander Arch described the proposed three‑year lease for the downtown substation, saying the satellite site improves officer visibility and reduces travel time for downtown patrols. He said the current monthly lease is $3,700 and will step up to $3,800 in 2026, $3,900 in 2027 and $4,000 in 2028, and that those lease costs are funded from the police department's approved budget line.

Several councilmembers pressed for more public-facing access. "If we are going to continue having this substation, I would like to see it open at least during working hours when people are coming and going from light rail," Councilmember Susan Honda said, noting she had twice found the substation door closed when a person sought help and that signage directs the public to "call 911." Honda and others said the current unmanned setup risks giving people a false sense of security.

Others framed the substation primarily as a workforce‑management tool that allows officers to be visible downtown without returning to the main station for routine duties. Councilmember Jack Dovey called the substation a cost‑effective way to keep patrols in the downtown area and argued that a separate policy discussion would be required to create an open public station.

Members also discussed Sound Transit policing and the possibility of coordinating space or staffing with transit security. City legal staff confirmed the lease contains a termination clause allowing the city to end the agreement on 30 days' notice.

After an extended exchange, a motion to forward the lease agreement to the Jan. 6, 2026 consent agenda carried (voice/roll vote recorded in the transcript as two ayes and one nay). Committee members asked that future councils examine whether to increase staffing or pursue other arrangements with Sound Transit once rail service stabilizes.

Next steps: the lease will be on the Jan. 6 consent agenda for full council action; committee members requested follow-up information about Sound Transit plans and any free facility options.