:Capitol Hill station
{{short description|Light rail station in Seattle, Washington}}
{{distinguish|text=Capitol South station in Washington, D.C}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox station
| name = {{ST code|1|49}} Capitol Hill
| style = Sound Transit
| type = Link light rail station
| image = Capitol Hill Station platform on opening day, March 19, 2016 - 01.jpg
| image_caption = Capitol Hill station's platform level
| address = 140 Broadway East
| borough = Seattle, Washington
| country = United States
| coordinates = {{coord|47|37|07|N|122|19|13|W|display=inline,title}}
| line =
| connections = {{Unbulleted list|First Hill Streetcar|King County Metro}}
| structure = Underground
| platform = 1 island platform
| depth = {{convert|65|ft|m}}
| tracks = 2
| bicycle = Racks
| accessible = Yes
| opened = {{start date|2016|03|19}}
| owned = Sound Transit
| passengers = {{Sound Transit ridership|Capitol Hill weekday}} daily weekday boardings ({{Sound Transit ridership|year}}){{Sound Transit ridership|linkcitation}}
{{Sound Transit ridership|Capitol Hill annual}} total boardings ({{Sound Transit ridership|year}}){{Sound Transit ridership|linkcitation}}
| services = {{Adjacent stations|system1=Sound Transit|header1=File:Sound Transit Link Light Rail logo.svg|line1=1 Line|left1=University of Washington|right1=Westlake|system2=Seattle Streetcar|line2=First Hill Streetcar|transfer2=Broadway & Denny|left2=Broadway & Pike-Pine}}
| other_services = {{Adjacent stations|system1=Sound Transit|header1=File:Sound Transit Link Light Rail logo.svg|line2=2 Line|left2=University of Washington|right2=Westlake}}
| other_services_header = Future service
| other_services_collapsible = yes
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-custom = {{Infobox mapframe |shape=none |line=none |marker=rail-light |marker-color=#{{rcr|Sound Transit|1 Line}} |zoom=15 }}
}}
Capitol Hill station is a light rail station in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle, Washington, United States. The station is served by Sound Transit's Link light rail system and is located near the intersection of Broadway and East John Street. It is situated between the Westlake and University of Washington stations on the 1 Line. The station consists of an island platform approximately {{convert|65|ft|m|0}} under street level, connected to three surface entrances via two mezzanines. It contains pieces of public art, including Mike Ross's sculpture Jet Kiss and two murals by cartoonist Ellen Forney.
Capitol Hill had been proposed as the site of a subway stop in unimplemented plans from 1911 and 1968, but voter approval did not come until 1996. It was built as part of the University Link Extension, which began construction in 2009 and opened on March 19, 2016. Construction of the station required the demolition of two city blocks along Broadway, which was redeveloped into a transit-oriented, mixed-use complex that opened in 2021. Light rail trains serve the station twenty hours a day on most days; the headway between trains is six minutes during peak periods, with less frequent service at other times. The station is also served by the First Hill Streetcar and several King County Metro bus routes at nearby stops.
Location
Capitol Hill station is located on Broadway between East Denny Way and East John Street, in the Broadway District of Capitol Hill, northeast of Downtown Seattle. The station is immediately west of Cal Anderson Park and north of the Seattle Central College campus. The Seattle University campus, Pike–Pine nightlife corridor, and Volunteer Park are also within a short distance of the station.{{cite news |last=Lindblom |first=Mike |date=March 14, 2016 |title=Take a look inside Capitol Hill's long-awaited light-rail station |page=B1 |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/see-inside-capitol-hills-long-awaited-light-rail-station/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814145346/http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/see-inside-capitol-hills-long-awaited-light-rail-station/ |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}}
The area surrounding the station is primarily zoned for multi-family dwellings and has 15,098 total housing units with 20,890 residents within a half-mile ({{convert|0.5|mi|km|1|disp=out}}) radius; these units are primarily renter-occupied and roughly 17 percent of units are affordable to lower-income households, with some subsidized housing nearby. There is also a major commercial strip on Broadway supporting ground-level retail stores and other uses; the area is also home to 15,171 jobs.{{cite web |author=Growing Transit Communities Oversight Committee |date=October 2013 |title=Capitol Hill Station: Future Light Rail/Future Streetcar/Bus |url=https://www.psrc.org/sites/default/files/capitol_hill_sap.pdf |work=The Growing Transit Communities Strategy |publisher=Puget Sound Regional Council |access-date=January 28, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814142908/https://www.psrc.org/sites/default/files/capitol_hill_sap.pdf |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} The western slope of Capitol Hill has the highest population density of any area in Washington state,{{cite news |last=Lindblom |first=Mike |date=March 7, 2009 |title=Sound Transit breaks ground on 3-mile light-rail tunnel in Seattle |page=A1 |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2008824266_websoundtransit06m.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814145409/http://old.seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2008824266_websoundtransit06m.html |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} with 55,000 people per square mile ({{convert|55,000|PD/sqmi|PD/sqkm|disp=output number only}} per km2).{{cite news |last=Balk |first=Gene |date=February 8, 2016 |title=Seattle among top 10 most densely populated big cities in the U.S. for first time ever |page=B3 |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/data/seattle-density-doesnt-have-to-be-a-dirty-word/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709042720/http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/data/seattle-density-doesnt-have-to-be-a-dirty-word/ |archive-date=July 9, 2017 |df=mdy-all}}
History
=Background and planning=
The Broadway business district on Capitol Hill was developed between 1900 and 1930 along new city streetcar lines connecting Downtown Seattle to the University District.{{cite report |last=Sheridan |first=Mimi |date=September 15, 2010 |title=First Hill Streetcar Historic Resources Technical Report |pages=8–9 |url=http://seattlestreetcar.org/about/docs/sepa/Appendix%20E%20-%20Historic%20Resources%20Technical%20Report.pdf |publisher=Seattle Department of Transportation |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814144946/http://seattlestreetcar.org/about/docs/sepa/Appendix%20E%20-%20Historic%20Resources%20Technical%20Report.pdf |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all }} Urban planner Virgil Bogue's rejected 1911 comprehensive plan for Seattle envisioned a citywide subway system, including an underground loop on Capitol Hill and Broadway that would connect with an east–west line on Pike Street.{{cite book |last=Bogue |first=Virgil |authorlink=Virgil Bogue |year=1911 |chapter=Appendix No. III—Proposed Rapid Transit System |title=Plan of Seattle: Report of the Municipal Plans Commission |location=Seattle, Washington |publisher=Lowman & Hanford |page=[https://archive.org/details/planseattlerepo00bogugoog/page/n222 183] |oclc=1440455 |url=https://archive.org/details/planseattlerepo00bogugoog |via=Internet Archive |access-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}}{{cite news |date=February 25, 1945 |title=Planners Do Go Wrong; But Some Good Ideas For City Were Advanced in 1911 |pages=4–5 |work=The Seattle Times}} The Forward Thrust Committee's planned regional rapid transit system, rejected by voters in 1968 and 1970,{{cite news |date=May 22, 1970 |title=Election Analysis: One Bit of Encouragement For Mass-Transit Planners |page=B3 |work=The Seattle Times}} included a station at the intersection of Broadway, Union Street, and Madison Street, as well as additional stations in eastern Capitol Hill.{{cite book |author=De Leuw, Cather & Company |date=February 19, 1970 |title=The Rapid Transit Plan for the Metropolitan Seattle Area |chapter=Chapter 2: Design and Development |page=16 |publisher=Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle |oclc=120953}}{{cite news |last=Lane |first=Bob |date=April 21, 1970 |title=City's Rapid-Transit Dreams Still Just Lines on a Map; Downtown to N.E. 145th in 20 Minutes |page=A5 |work=The Seattle Times}}
In the 1990s, a regional transit authority (later Sound Transit) was formed to study a modern light rail system for the Seattle metropolitan area. For the segment between Downtown Seattle and the University District, a surface-running line through Eastlake and a tunnel under Capitol Hill were considered.{{cite news |last=Schaefer |first=David |date=April 7, 1994 |title=Transit authority favoring light rail |page=B1 |work=The Seattle Times}} The tunnel option was chosen for a ballot measure that took place in March 1995.{{cite news |last=Schaefer |first=David |date=February 12, 1995 |title=On the right track? Questions, answers to the $6.7 billion proposal |page=A1 |work=The Seattle Times}}{{cite web |date=February 1995 |title=The Regional Transit System Proposal |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/projects/planning/1995_plan_subarea_proposals.pdf |pages=1–2 |publisher=Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930200958/http://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/projects/planning/1995_plan_subarea_proposals.pdf |archive-date=September 30, 2015 |df=mdy-all}} Voters rejected the $6.7 billion proposal, including a {{convert|69|mi|km|adj=mid}} light rail system connecting Seattle to Bellevue, Washington, Lynnwood, and Tacoma. It was replaced by a smaller plan.{{cite news |last=Schaefer |first=David |date=January 11, 1996 |title=RTA ready to unveil new plan: rapid transit proposal's cost, scope downsized |page=A1 |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19960111/2308417/rta-ready-to-unveil-new-plan |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105235317/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19960111&slug=2308417 |archive-date=January 5, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} In November 1996, voters approved a condensed $3.9 billion regional transit plan that included a tunneled light rail station under Capitol Hill.{{cite news |last=Schaefer |first=David |date=November 7, 1996 |title=Transit plan can trace surprise success to suburbs |page=B1 |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19961107/2358432/transit-plan-can-trace-surprise-success-to-suburbs |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105235304/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19961107&slug=2358432 |archive-date=January 5, 2017 |df=mdy-all}}
Sound Transit revisited the routing issue during community meetings in 1997 and 1998, proposing an alternate route through Eastlake, South Lake Union, and the Seattle Center if engineering of the Capitol Hill tunnel would jeopardize the project's budget.{{cite news |last=Schaefer |first=David |date=December 10, 1997 |title=Residents debate light-rail route: Under or out of our neighborhood, some say |page=B1 |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19971210/2577212/residents-debate-light-rail-route |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814135107/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19971210&slug=2577212 |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} The project's draft environmental impact statement, released in December 1998, determined that the Capitol Hill tunnel would be feasible and recommended its inclusion in the plan.{{cite news |last=Schaefer |first=David |date=December 4, 1998 |title=Big plans for light rail: Sound Transit suggest 24-mile route from SeaTac to Northgate |page=B3 |work=The Seattle Times}} Sound Transit proposed that Capitol Hill's cut and cover station be located under Broadway south of East John Street, with several entrances to serve nearby Seattle Central Community College and the Broadway business district. From the station, trains would continue south to a station in First Hill before entering the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel, and north under Portage Bay to the western University District.{{cite news |last=Fryer |first=Alex |date=May 6, 1999 |title=When rail comes, who goes? |page=A1 |work=The Seattle Times}}{{cite news |last=Fryer |first=Alex |date=October 13, 1999 |title=A step closer to a light-rail system |page=A8 |work=The Seattle Times}} Seattle representatives proposed an additional Capitol Hill station, near Broadway and East Roy Street, but it was left out of the preferred alternative due to cost concerns.{{cite news |last=Schaefer |first=David |date=February 26, 1999 |title=Rail route creates hard feelings: northern cities, Rainier Valley, Tukwila feel slighted |page=B1 |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19990226/2946359/rail-route-creates-hard-feelings |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106175039/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19990226&slug=2946359 |archive-date=January 6, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} In November 1999, Sound Transit finalized its preferred alternative, adding a crossover north of Capitol Hill station near East Thomas Street.{{cite news |last=Fryer |first=Alex |date=November 19, 1999 |title=A milestone for light rail: Regional board selects station sites, alignment |page=A1 |work=The Seattle Times}}{{cite press release |author= |date=November 18, 1999 |title=Sound Transit Board achieves historic milestone by selecting route for central Link light rail |url=http://www.soundtransit.org/About-Sound-Transit/News-and-events/News-releases/News-release-archive/Sound-Transit-Board-achieves-historic-milestone-by-selecting-route-for-central-Link-light-rail |location=Seattle, Washington |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303220828/http://www.soundtransit.org/About-Sound-Transit/News-and-events/News-releases/News-release-archive/Sound-Transit-Board-achieves-historic-milestone-by-selecting-route-for-central-Link-light-rail |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |df=mdy-all}}
Sound Transit suspended planning for the Portage Bay tunnel in 2000 after it received construction bids that were $171 million higher than expected and found, through soil testing, that a deeper tunnel would be required.{{cite news |last=Dudley |first=Brier |date=November 18, 2000 |title=Price puts tunnel on hold |page=A1 |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20001117/4053431/price-puts-tunnel-on-hold |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814145208/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20001117&slug=4053431 |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}}{{cite news |last=Garber |first=Andrew |date=June 24, 2001 |title=How Sound Transit dug itself a hole with tunnel |page=A1 |work=The Seattle Times}} The project's total cost rose to $1 billion over budget, and the schedule was delayed by three years because of unrealistic time and cost estimates made during earlier planning stages.{{cite news |date=December 13, 2000 |title=Light-rail costs soars $1 billion |page=A1 |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20001213/TTGI2KF2J/light-rail-cost-soars-1-billion |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114231022/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20001213&slug=TTGI2KF2J |archive-date=January 14, 2016 |df=mdy-all}} Capitol Hill businesses, while initially supportive of the light rail station's placement, later pulled their support of the cut and cover option because of the extended construction timeline.{{cite news |date=December 20, 2000 |title=Capitol Hill pulls light-rail backing |page=A1 |work=The Seattle Times}} Sound Transit, faced with budget issues and further schedule delays, deferred construction of the segment between Downtown Seattle and the University District in 2001 while re-evaluating alignment options.{{cite news |last=Brunner |first=Jim |date=June 29, 2001 |title=Sound Transit looks south for its first line |page=B1 |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20010629/sound29m0/sound-transit-looks-south-for-its-first-line |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814145113/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20010629&slug=sound29m0 |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}}
In 2004, Sound Transit selected a new tunnel route that crossed the Lake Washington Ship Canal at the Montlake Cut, to the east of the Portage Bay area. The revised tunnel would have stations at First Hill, on Capitol Hill at Nagle Place between East John and East Howell streets, at Husky Stadium, and a University District station at Brooklyn Avenue and NE 45th Street.{{cite news |last=Pryne |first=Eric |date=April 23, 2004 |title=Consensus reached on new light-rail line—But Sound Transit board splits on plans for Northgate route |page=B1 |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20040423/rail23m/consensus-reached-on-new-light-rail-line |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810130606/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20040423&slug=rail23m |archive-date=August 10, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} The First Hill station was removed from plans in 2005 because of concerns over construction risks.{{cite news |last=Pryne |first=Eric |date=July 29, 2005 |title=Board cuts First Hill rail station |page=B1 |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20050729/soundtransit29m/board-cuts-first-hill-rail-station |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814145352/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20050729&slug=soundtransit29m |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} The University District station was re-organized as part of the Northgate extension, leaving the Husky Stadium station as the tunnel's interim terminus.{{cite web |date=April 27, 2006 |title=Sound Transit Resolution No. R2006-07 |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/about/board/resolutions/2006/R2006-07.pdf |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814140144/https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/about/board/resolutions/2006/R2006-07.pdf |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} The $1.9 billion project, named "University Link", was approved for construction in April 2006 and earned federal approval later that year.{{cite press release |author= |date=April 27, 2006 |title=Sound Transit Board approves plan for University light rail extension |url=http://www.soundtransit.org/About-Sound-Transit/News-and-events/News-releases/News-release-archive/Sound-Transit-Board-approves-plan-for-University-light-rail-extension |location=Seattle, Washington |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814175924/https://www.soundtransit.org/About-Sound-Transit/News-and-events/News-releases/News-release-archive/Sound-Transit-Board-approves-plan-for-University-light-rail-extension |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}}{{cite news |last=Lindblom |first=Mike |date=November 28, 2006 |title=Light-rail tunnel gets key support |page=B1 |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2003450789_soundtransit28m.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814145436/http://old.seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2003450789_soundtransit28m.html |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}}
=Construction and opening=
File:Capitol Hill Link Station tunnel cross section 2012-11-04.jpg
The Capitol Hill station's design was finalized in 2007 and 2008, during a series of public hearings and meetings with the city's design commission.{{cite web |date=August 2011 |title=Analysis and Decision of the Director of the Department of Planning and Development: Permit Application 3009795, 3009792, 3009794 |page=7 |url=http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/LUIB/AttachmentProject3009795ID42803009795-3009792-3009794%20Sound%20Transit.pdf |publisher=Seattle Department of Planning and Development |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228102156/http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/LUIB/AttachmentProject3009795ID42803009795-3009792-3009794%20Sound%20Transit.pdf |archive-date=February 28, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} Businesses and residents at the station site were moved after Sound Transit acquired properties in 2008. The vacant buildings were filled temporarily with pieces of art coordinated by Sound Transit.{{cite news |last=Hackett |first=Regina |date=September 29, 2008 |title=Art lights the way for Sound Transit |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/ae/article/Art-lights-the-way-for-Sound-Transit-1286745.php |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814145409/http://www.seattlepi.com/ae/article/Art-lights-the-way-for-Sound-Transit-1286745.php |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} Salvaging and recycling of materials in the vacant buildings began in late 2008, including a community event to remove small plants for re-planting by neighborhood residents;{{cite web |date=April 2009 |title=Salvage and Recycling: Capitol Hill Station |publisher=Sound Transit |url=http://projects.soundtransit.org/Documents/pdf/projects/link/north/Capitol_Hill/Salvagefactsheet.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430132917/http://projects.soundtransit.org/Documents/pdf/projects/link/north/Capitol_Hill/Salvagefactsheet.pdf |archive-date=April 30, 2012 |access-date=August 14, 2017}} approximately 90 percent of material was recycled, and proceeds from the sale of scrap metal were used to provide hot meals for the homeless.{{cite news |last=Zemtseff |first=Katie |date=June 4, 2009 |title=Sound Transit sees salvaging in its future |url=https://www.djc.com/news/re/12006704.html |work=Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815063335/https://www.djc.com/news/re/12006704.html |archive-date=August 15, 2017 |df=mdy-all}}{{cite news |last=Frizzelle |first=Christopher |date=March 16, 2016 |title=The Making of the Capitol Hill Light Rail Station |url=http://www.thestranger.com/feature/2016/03/16/23716064/the-making-of-the-capitol-hill-light-rail-station |work=The Stranger |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816000939/http://www.thestranger.com/feature/2016/03/16/23716064/the-making-of-the-capitol-hill-light-rail-station |archive-date=August 16, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} Demolition of buildings on the station site began in March 2009,{{cite news |last=Murakami |first=Kery |date=March 4, 2009 |title=Broadway uneasy about light-rail construction project |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/transportation/article/Broadway-uneasy-about-light-rail-construction-1301652.php |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814140033/http://www.seattlepi.com/local/transportation/article/Broadway-uneasy-about-light-rail-construction-1301652.php |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} shortly before the formal groundbreaking for the University Link project, and was completed by August.{{cite web |date=August 2009 |title=University Link Light Rail – Project Update, August 2009 |publisher=Sound Transit |url=http://www.soundtransit.org:80/x7374.xml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090918080302/http://www.soundtransit.org/x7374.xml |archive-date=September 18, 2009 |access-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} Among the 20 demolished buildings were a three-story apartment building, a used book store,{{cite news |last=Brodeur |first=Nicole |date=May 6, 1999 |title=Rail, rail against book shop's dying |page=B1 |work=The Seattle Times}} the Espresso Vivace coffee shop,{{cite news |last=Allison |first=Melissa |date=July 2, 2006 |title=Vivace founder, David Schomer is a coffee prophet |page=C1 |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2003099339_vivace02.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170414224253/http://old.seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2003099339_vivace02.html |archive-date=April 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} a nail salon, and a copy shop.{{cite news |last=Murakami |first=Kery |date=May 30, 2007 |title=Vivace's moving, but not going far |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |url=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/317756_vivace30.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511153033/http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/317756_vivace30.html |archive-date=May 11, 2008 |access-date=August 14, 2017}}{{cite news |last=Heuser |first=Tom |date=March 16, 2016 |title=Capitol Retrospective: Two months of carnage that brought light rail to Capitol Hill |url=http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2016/03/capitol-retrospective-two-months-of-carnage-that-brought-light-rail-to-capitol-hill/ |work=Capitol Hill Seattle Blog |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814145441/http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2016/03/capitol-retrospective-two-months-of-carnage-that-brought-light-rail-to-capitol-hill/ |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} Many of the displaced and nearby businesses moved to the northern end of the Broadway district during construction, relying on mitigation funds from Sound Transit and the neighborhood's chamber of commerce.{{cite news |last1=Allison |first1=Melissa |last2=Martinez |first2=Amy |date=July 17, 2009 |title=Light rail boosts some businesses, hurts others |page=A11 |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/retailreport/2009485751_retailreport17.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814143756/http://old.seattletimes.com/html/retailreport/2009485751_retailreport17.html |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}}
Preparation work for station construction began in January 2010, with the closure of East Denny Way and the installation of a construction wall around the site.{{cite news |date=January 12, 2010 |title=Sound Transit begins work on Capitol Hill Station |url=http://dev.rtands.com/index.php/news/sound-transit-begins-work-on-capitol-hill-station.html |work=Railway Track & Structures |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814143544/http://dev.rtands.com/index.php/news/sound-transit-begins-work-on-capitol-hill-station.html |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} The {{convert|24|ft|m|adj=mid|-high}} wall was painted red and adorned with public artwork by local street artists over the course of the five-year construction period. Excavation of the station box began in July,{{cite web |date=July 13, 2010 |title=Capitol Hill Station construction |publisher=Sound Transit |url=http://projects.soundtransit.org/x1756.xml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100716115537/http://projects.soundtransit.org/x1756.xml |archive-date=July 16, 2010 |access-date=August 14, 2017}}{{cite web |last=Gutierrez |first=Scott |date=June 1, 2010 |title=Behind the walls at Capitol Hill's future light rail station site |url=http://blog.seattlepi.com/transportation/2010/06/01/behind-the-walls-at-capitol-hills-future-light-rail-station-site/ |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814143758/http://blog.seattlepi.com/transportation/2010/06/01/behind-the-walls-at-capitol-hills-future-light-rail-station-site/ |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} and reached the future platform level in December.{{cite news |date=December 28, 2010 |title=Hill streetcar + light rail update: Broadway 'big dig' comes to end, Feds make early payment |url=http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2010/12/capitol-hill-streetcar-and-light-rail-update-broadway-big-dig-comes-to-end/ |work=Capitol Hill Seattle Blog |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814214918/http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2010/12/capitol-hill-streetcar-and-light-rail-update-broadway-big-dig-comes-to-end/ |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} In June 2011, the first of three tunnel boring machines, named "Brenda", was launched from Capitol Hill toward Westlake station in Downtown Seattle.{{cite news |last=Gutierrez |first=Scott |date=June 13, 2011 |title=Meet 'Brenda,' the Capitol Hill tunneling machine |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/transportation/article/Photos-Light-rail-tunneling-soon-to-start-on-1419575.php |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814145034/http://www.seattlepi.com/local/transportation/article/Photos-Light-rail-tunneling-soon-to-start-on-1419575.php |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} A separate pair of machines, "Balto" and "Togo", were launched from University of Washington station at the same time and arrived at Capitol Hill station in March and April 2012.{{cite news |last=Gutierrez |first=Scott |date=April 3, 2012 |title=2nd light rail tunneling machine breaks through |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/transportation/article/Second-light-rail-tunneling-machine-breaks-through-3454073.php |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823073958/http://www.seattlepi.com/local/transportation/article/Second-light-rail-tunneling-machine-breaks-through-3454073.php |archive-date=August 23, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} Brenda completed the twin tunnels to downtown in May 2012.{{cite news |last=Shen |first=Molly |date=May 14, 2012 |title=Sound Transit's boring machine reaches Downtown Seattle |url=http://komonews.com/news/local/sound-transits-boring-machine-reaches-downtown-seattle |publisher=KOMO 4 News |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814140905/http://komonews.com/news/local/sound-transits-boring-machine-reaches-downtown-seattle |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}}
In October 2012, Turner Construction was awarded the $105 million construction contract to build and finish Capitol Hill station's interior and entrances.{{cite web |date=October 25, 2012 |title=Sound Transit Motion No. M2012-72 |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/about/board/motions/2012/Motion_M2012-72sr.pdf |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814141418/https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/about/board/motions/2012/Motion_M2012-72sr.pdf |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} Turner began interior construction in March 2013, using a steel PERI truss and movable concrete form system to pour concrete for station elements.{{cite news |last=Bennett |first=Sam |date=March 21, 2013 |title=Accordion-like truss system plays a big role at Capitol Hill transit station |url=http://www.djc.com/news/co/12051137.html |work=Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814173841/http://www.djc.com/news/co/12051137.html |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} Construction on the west entrance and its cut and cover tunnel under Broadway required the street to be closed and rearranged several times beginning in November 2013.{{cite web |date=November 2013 |title=Broadway Pedestrian Concourse Fact Sheet |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/projects/link/north/ULink/201311_CHpedconcourse_factsheet.pdf |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930225402/http://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/projects/link/north/ULink/201311_CHpedconcourse_factsheet.pdf |archive-date=September 30, 2015 |df=mdy-all}} By the summer of 2015, work on Capitol Hill station was declared 90 percent complete, and the construction wall was gradually removed.{{cite news |date=June 2, 2015 |title=Capitol Hill Station 90% complete; U Link set to open early next year |url=http://www.djc.com/news/co/12078249.html |work=Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814142937/http://www.djc.com/news/co/12078249.html |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}}{{cite news |date=February 27, 2015 |title=Capitol Hill Station's Red Wall to come down spring and summer 2015 |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/node/9724 |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814143740/https://www.soundtransit.org/node/9724 |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}}
Capitol Hill station, along with University of Washington station, opened to the public six months early on March 19, 2016,{{cite news |last=Lindblom |first=Mike |date=January 27, 2016 |title=University Link light-rail service starts March 19 |page=B4 |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/university-link-light-rail-service-starts-march-19/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=September 9, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170713045342/http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/university-link-light-rail-service-starts-march-19/ |archive-date=July 13, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} during a community celebration that drew 67,000 people.{{cite news |last=Beekman |first=Daniel |date=March 19, 2016 |title=Capitol Hill, UW light-rail stations open to big crowds |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/capitol-hill-uw-light-rail-stations-open/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=March 19, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101203045/http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/capitol-hill-uw-light-rail-stations-open/ |archive-date=January 1, 2017 |df=mdy-all}}{{cite news |last=Lindblom |first=Mike |date=March 24, 2016 |title=Sound Transit to add longer trains to meet unexpected light-rail demand |page=B1 |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/sound-transit-to-add-bigger-trains-to-meet-ridership-demands/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=September 10, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911071146/http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/sound-transit-to-add-bigger-trains-to-meet-ridership-demands/ |archive-date=September 11, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} As part of the inauguration of the new tunnel, local dignitaries rode a train from University of Washington station to Capitol Hill. There Mayor Ed Murray and First Man Michael Shiosaki pulled a ceremonial cord to open the station.{{cite news |date=March 21, 2016 |title=Transformative Transportation: U Link Opens To Thousands |work=Capitol Hill Times |url=http://www.capitolhilltimes.com/2016/03/transformative-transportation-u-link-opens-to-thousands/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331223953/http://www.capitolhilltimes.com/2016/03/transformative-transportation-u-link-opens-to-thousands/ |archive-date=March 31, 2016 |access-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} The celebration included festivities at street level, including an open-air market, live music, an expo pavilion, and a food truck stand on East Denny Way.{{cite web |title=Launch Day line-up |publisher=Sound Transit |url=http://www.ulink2016.org/fun |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320231045/http://www.ulink2016.org/fun |archive-date=March 20, 2016 |access-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}}{{cite news |date=March 2, 2016 |title=Capitol Hill Station celebration includes two parties connected by two miles of tunnels |url=http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2016/03/capitol-hill-station-celebration-includes-two-parties-connected-by-3-1-miles-of-tunnels/ |work=Capitol Hill Seattle Blog |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814143935/http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2016/03/capitol-hill-station-celebration-includes-two-parties-connected-by-3-1-miles-of-tunnels/ |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} Over a thousand pieces of the former construction wall, known as the "Red Wall", were cut by Seattle Central College students and offered to light rail riders who visited local businesses.
Station layout
File:Capitol Hill Link station in June 2016.jpg
Capitol Hill station consists of a single island platform located {{convert|65|ft|m}} below street level, in the vicinity of Broadway and East John Street in Seattle.{{cite news |last=Siegel |first=Mike |date=May 27, 2015 |title=Capitol Hill light-rail station nearly ready for trains to rumble |page=B1 |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/capitol-hill-light-rail-station-nearly-ready-for-trains-to-rumble/ |work=The Seattle Times |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814145332/http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/capitol-hill-light-rail-station-nearly-ready-for-trains-to-rumble/ |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} Two sets of escalators and elevators lead upward from the platform to two mezzanines at the north and south ends of the station, connecting to three surface entrances.{{cite map |date=July 2008 |title=Capitol Hill Station: Mezzanine |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/projects/link/north/ULink/CHStationMezzanine.pdf |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910073727/http://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/projects/link/north/ULink/CHStationMezzanine.pdf |archive-date=September 10, 2015 |df=mdy-all}} The north entrance is located at the southeast corner of Broadway and East John Street; the south entrance is on Barbara Bailey Way (formerly East Denny Way){{cite news |last=Robertson |first=Kipp |date=July 7, 2019 |title=Seattle renames stretch of Denny Way after 'early pioneer' for LGBTQ+ rights |url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/seattle-renames-stretch-of-denny-way-after-early-pioneer-for-lgbtq-rights/281-5127e361-9497-4b6f-b6d3-113287fb231e |publisher=KING 5 News |accessdate=February 25, 2024}} between Broadway and Nagle Place and has a direct elevator to the platform.{{cite web |date=March 20, 2008 |title=Seattle Design Commission Minutes of the Meeting, March 20, 2008 |page=18 |url=http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/cityplanning/designcommission/cs/groups/pan/@pan/@designcommission/documents/web_informational/s049074.pdf |publisher=Seattle Design Commission |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221194432/http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/cityplanning/designcommission/cs/groups/pan/@pan/@designcommission/documents/web_informational/s049074.pdf |archive-date=February 21, 2017 |df=mdy-all }} The west entrance is located on the west side of Broadway to the south of East Denny Way, connected by a {{convert|163|ft|m|adj=mid|-long}} tunnel under the street.{{cite news |date=March 25, 2016 |title=Linking Capitol Hill to downtown and the UW |page=3 |url=http://www.djc.com/news/co/12087584.html |work=Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814143159/http://www.djc.com/news/co/12087584.html |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}}{{cite web |title=Capitol Hill Station |url=http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/cityplanning/designcommission/projectreviews/lightrailreviewpanel/lrrpreviews/capitolhillstation/whatshappening/ |publisher=Seattle Design Commission |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171103120043/http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/cityplanning/designcommission/projectreviews/lightrailreviewpanel/lrrpreviews/capitolhillstation/whatshappening/ |archive-date=November 3, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}
The station's underground structure is {{convert|540|ft|m}} long, {{convert|80|ft|m}} wide, and {{convert|75|ft|m}} deep.{{cite news |date=August 31, 2010 |title=Capitol Hill station key point for ST tunnels |url=https://www.djc.com/news/co/12021247.html |url-access=subscription |work=Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814141712/https://www.djc.com/news/co/12021247.html |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} Capitol Hill station houses most of the University Link tunnel's support systems, including power, communications, and ventilation. The platform level forms a tall vault through the use of horizontal steel trusses that span {{convert|45|ft|m}} across the station box. The entrances incorporate large ventilation shafts and clerestory windows to allow natural light into the ticketing hall.{{cite news|last=Holden |first=Dominic |date=April 4, 2008 |title=Sound Transit Station Design Meeting: Nothing Says "Capitol Hill" Like Fighter Jets |work=The Stranger |url=http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/sound_transit_station_design_meeting_not |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017054534/http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/sound_transit_station_design_meeting_not |archive-date=October 17, 2012 |access-date=August 14, 2017}} Hewitt Architects designed Capitol Hill station to be utilitarian while maintaining the neighborhood's vibrancy.{{cite web |title=Capitol Hill Station |url=http://www.hewittseattle.com/projects/architecture/capitol-hill-station.html |publisher=Hewitt Architects |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814144132/http://www.hewittseattle.com/projects/architecture/capitol-hill-station.html |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} It features finishes of exposed concrete, as well as ceramic tiles and terra cotta trellises.{{cite web |date=July 17, 2008 |title=Seattle Design Commission Minutes of the Meeting, July 17, 2008 |url=https://www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/OPCD/DesignCommission/LightRailReviewPanel/CapitolHillStation/2008.07.17SeattleDesignCommission-CapitolHillStationminutes.pdf |publisher=Seattle Design Commission |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814141224/https://www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/OPCD/DesignCommission/LightRailReviewPanel/CapitolHillStation/2008.07.17SeattleDesignCommission-CapitolHillStationminutes.pdf |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} The general cleanliness of the station has been criticized due to the presence of litter and discarded items near the escalators and pigeons around the entrances.{{cite news |last=Wolf |first=Cormac |date=September 22, 2023 |title=The Capitol Hill Station pigeon relocation program |url=https://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2023/09/the-capitol-hill-station-pigeon-relocation-program/ |work=Capitol Hill Seattle Blog |accessdate=October 20, 2024}}
=Art=
{{see also|Jet Kiss}}
File:Capitol Hill Station Media Tour 05-26-15 05 (18365372841).jpg, which hangs above the station's platform]]
Capitol Hill station houses three pieces of public art as part of Sound Transit's system-wide art program. Mike Ross's Jet Kiss consists of a pair of disassembled, pink and yellow fighter jets that hang suspended above the platform.{{cite web |date=March 2016 |title=Guide to art on Link light rail |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/2016_start-on-link-map.pdf |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511140229/https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/2016_start-on-link-map.pdf |archive-date=May 11, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} The piece, which initially met with public backlash over its use of war planes, references both the city's aviation industry and the city bird, the blue heron.{{cite news |last=Lindblom |first=Mike |date=April 4, 2008 |title=Sculptor envisions colorful steel birds for Capitol Hill subway station |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2004326695_bigsculpture04m.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217082155/http://old.seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2004326695_bigsculpture04m.html |archive-date=February 17, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} Capitol Hill cartoonist Ellen Forney has two murals in the station's north and west entrances, Crossed Pinkies and Walking Fingers, which portray simple, large hands outlined against a bright red background. The murals, which consist of porcelain enamel on steel panels,{{cite news |date=December 8, 2015 |title=Ellen Forney, Master of the Intimate, Goes BIG |url=http://www.cornish.edu/news/article/ellen_forney_master_of_the_intimate_goes_big/ |publisher=Cornish College of the Arts |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814143802/http://www.cornish.edu/news/article/ellen_forney_master_of_the_intimate_goes_big/ |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} are meant to evoke a sense of "coming together [whilst] pulling apart", with both playfully leading passengers from street level into the station.{{cite news |last=Graves |first=Jen |date=December 9, 2015 |title=How Ellen Forney Got the Right Pair of Hands for Her Capitol Hill Light Rail Station Mural |url=http://www.thestranger.com/visual-art/features/2015/12/09/23247443/how-ellen-forney-got-the-right-pair-of-hands-for-her-capitol-hill-light-rail-station-mural |work=The Stranger |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701102251/http://www.thestranger.com/visual-art/features/2015/12/09/23247443/how-ellen-forney-got-the-right-pair-of-hands-for-her-capitol-hill-light-rail-station-mural |archive-date=July 1, 2017 |df=mdy-all}}{{cite web |last=Forney |first=Ellen |authorlink=Ellen Forney |title=Public Art: Crossed Pinkies, Walking Fingers |url=https://www.ellenforney.com/public_art.html |publisher=Ellen Forney |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814135953/https://www.ellenforney.com/public_art.html |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} Forney designed Crossed Pinkies to echo Ross's Jet Kiss, sharing the "coming together" theme.{{cite news |last=Stepankowsky |first=Anastasia |date=December 15, 2015 |title=Artist Reflects On Capitol Hill Station Projects |url=http://www.capitolhilltimes.com/2015/12/artist-reflects-on-capitol-hill-station-projects/ |work=Capitol Hill Times |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222131824/http://www.capitolhilltimes.com/2015/12/artist-reflects-on-capitol-hill-station-projects/ |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |access-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} The station also has a pictogram that identifies it on maps and signage, featuring the rainbow flag to honor the neighborhood's gay and lesbian community.{{cite news |date=July 1, 2015 |title=Sound Transit selects Pride flag as Capitol Hill Station icon |url=http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2015/07/sound-transit-selects-pride-flag-as-capitol-hill-station-icon/ |work=Capitol Hill Seattle Blog |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814150945/http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2015/07/sound-transit-selects-pride-flag-as-capitol-hill-station-icon/ |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}}
Between 2010 and 2015, the station's construction site was home to several temporary art installations curated by Sound Transit's art program. In 2009, the empty lot left after site demolition was host to Dan Corson's Oscillating Field, an interactive light artwork that used fluorescent light rods to display sine waves at night.{{cite news |last=Graves |first=Jen |date=December 1, 2009 |title=Currently Hanging: Dan Corson's 'Oscillating Field' |url=http://www.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2009/12/01/currently-hanging-dan-corsons-oscillating-field |work=The Stranger |access-date=August 14, 2017}} The noise and dust wall, painted red and known as the "Red Wall", was transformed into an outdoor art gallery curated by Sound Transit artist D.K. Pan with the theme "The City: Love, Loss, and the Moveable Future".{{cite news |last=Davis |first=Brangien |date=November 16, 2010 |title=Best of 2010: Arts |url=http://www.seattlemag.com/article/best-2010-arts |work=Seattle Magazine |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814141751/http://www.seattlemag.com/article/best-2010-arts |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} The Red Wall's art included painted murals, three-dimensional pieces, and the use of videos screened on the wall.{{cite news |date=August 4, 2010 |title=Capitol Hill Wall Project |url=http://startwallproject.blogspot.com/2010/08/sound-transit-is-building-light-rail.html |publisher=Sound Transit Art Program |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814142516/http://startwallproject.blogspot.com/2010/08/sound-transit-is-building-light-rail.html |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} The Red Wall hosted a spraypainted mural by a former graffiti artist,{{cite news |last=Graves |first=Jen |date=September 2, 2010 |title=The Legal Art of Illegal Artists |url=http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/the-legal-art-of-illegal-artists/Content?oid=4793225 |work=The Stranger |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619073457/http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/the-legal-art-of-illegal-artists/Content?oid=4793225 |archive-date=June 19, 2015 |df=mdy-all}} a bottle cap collage,{{cite news |date=September 25, 2010 |title=Interview with Cameron Larson, the artist behind Caps for Slats |url=http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2010/09/interview-with-cameron-larson-the-artist-behind-caps-for-slats/ |work=Capitol Hill Seattle Blog |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814135721/http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2010/09/interview-with-cameron-larson-the-artist-behind-caps-for-slats/ |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} and hand-painted animated stills from the Seattle Experimental Animation Team.{{cite news |last=Dinger |first=Frances E. |date=September 8, 2010 |title=4-year Wallrus animation project begins on Broadway's big red light rail construction wall this week |url=http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2010/09/wallrus-animation-lumbers-onto-broadways-big-red-light-rail-construction-wall/ |work=Capitol Hill Seattle Blog |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814141637/http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2010/09/wallrus-animation-lumbers-onto-broadways-big-red-light-rail-construction-wall/ |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} The artwork was removed in early 2015, ahead of the wall's demolition, and returned to the artists for re-use.{{cite news |date=October 9, 2014 |title=Piece by piece, Broadway's Red Wall is finally coming down |url=http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2014/10/piece-by-piece-broadways-red-wall-is-finally-coming-down/ |work=Capitol Hill Seattle Blog |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814150952/http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2014/10/piece-by-piece-broadways-red-wall-is-finally-coming-down/ |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}}
In October 2024, the Sound Transit art program began a pilot program to display rotating original works by local graffiti writers on two panels at the station entrances. The program is intended to deter illegal graffiti that had previously been added at the station.{{cite news |last=Metzger |first=Katie |date=October 17, 2024 |title=Writing on the wall: Capitol Hill Station welcomes a new style of art |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/blog/platform/writing-wall-capitol-hill-station-welcomes-new-style-art |work=The Platform |publisher=Sound Transit |accessdate=October 20, 2024}}
Transit-oriented development
The staging areas used during the construction of Capitol Hill station were reused for a large transit-oriented development managed by Sound Transit and the City of Seattle. The development, spread across four seven-story buildings on {{convert|2|acre}} between Broadway and 10th Avenue East, includes 428 apartments (of which 42 percent are designated as affordable housing), retail space, a community center, plaza, bike facilities, and a permanent venue for the local farmers' market.{{cite press release |date=April 21, 2015 |title=ST announces developer for Capitol Hill TOD |url=http://www.soundtransit.org/About-Sound-Transit/News-and-events/News-releases/5ST-announces-developer-for-Capitol-Hill-TOD-42115 |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814175913/https://www.soundtransit.org/About-Sound-Transit/News-and-events/News-releases/5ST-announces-developer-for-Capitol-Hill-TOD-42115 |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}}{{cite press release |date=August 25, 2016 |title=Sound Transit inks deal for major new housing/retail development adjacent to Capitol Hill light rail station |url=http://www.soundtransit.org/About-Sound-Transit/News-and-events/News-releases/sound-transit-inks-deal-major-new-housingretail |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814175854/https://www.soundtransit.org/About-Sound-Transit/News-and-events/News-releases/sound-transit-inks-deal-major-new-housingretail |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}}{{cite news |last=Macz |first=Brandon |date=December 7, 2016 |title=Residents get peek at light rail station housing, retail development |url=http://www.capitolhilltimes.com/Content/Default/Main-news/Article/Residents-get-peek-at-light-rail-station-housing-retail-development/-3/544/4552 |work=Capitol Hill Times |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814174303/http://www.capitolhilltimes.com/Content/Default/Main-news/Article/Residents-get-peek-at-light-rail-station-housing-retail-development/-3/544/4552 |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all }} Sound Transit signed a 99-year, $19 million lease with Portland developer Gerding Edlen in 2016 to build and manage the property.{{cite news |last=Stiles |first=Marc |date=August 26, 2016 |title=Gerding Edlen inks 99-year deal for big Capitol Hill development site |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2016/08/26/gerding-edlen-inks-99-year-deal-for-big-capitol.html |work=Puget Sound Business Journal |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814134554/https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2016/08/26/gerding-edlen-inks-99-year-deal-for-big-capitol.html |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} The project began construction in July 2018 and was completed in early 2021.{{cite news |last=Miller |first=Brian |date=June 8, 2018 |title=Capitol Hill Station to break ground June 19, with apartments and retail |url=http://www.djc.com/news/re/12111856.html |work=Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce |access-date=June 8, 2018}}{{cite web |year=2021 |title=Transit-Oriented Development Quarterly Status Report: Quarter 2, 2021 |page=2 |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/st-tod-quarterly-report-q2-2021.pdf |publisher=Sound Transit |accessdate=April 22, 2022}} The Broadway Farmers Market opened at the plaza in April 2021, moving from a sidewalk adjacent to Seattle Central College.{{cite news |last=Craighead |first=Callie |date=April 12, 2021 |title=Seattle's Capitol Hill Farmers Market moves to new permanent plaza location on April 18 |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/thingstodo/article/capitol-hill-farmers-market-moves-to-new-location-16094825.php |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |access-date=April 12, 2021}} An additional surplus property, next to the west entrance, has been offered by Seattle Central College for possible redevelopment.{{cite news |last=Porter |first=Lynn |date=January 31, 2017 |title=Seattle Central offering sites on Capitol Hill for new development |url=http://www.djc.com/news/re/12097063.html |work=Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814143623/http://www.djc.com/news/re/12097063.html |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}}
Other nearby lots have been redeveloped as a result of the light rail station opening on Capitol Hill. The Broadway Post Office, located adjacent to the south and west entrances, was demolished in 2016 for the construction of a 44-unit apartment building.{{cite news |date=August 26, 2015 |title=44 apartments for Broadway site across from light rail station |url=https://www.djc.com/news/re/12081038.html |work=Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814142944/https://www.djc.com/news/re/12081038.html |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}}{{cite news |last=Banel |first=Feliks |date=June 17, 2016 |title='Ghost signs' uncovered during Capitol Hill post office demolition |url=http://mynorthwest.com/320111/ghost-signs-uncovered-during-capitol-hill-post-office-demolition/ |publisher=KIRO Radio |access-date=May 10, 2018}} An adjacent corner property, already home to a 14-unit apartment building, is planned to be replaced by a 50-unit building.{{cite news |last=Miller |first=Brian |date=January 6, 2017 |title=A 14-unit building on Broadway may be replaced by 50 new units |url=http://www.djc.com/news/re/12096331.html |work=Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814142453/http://www.djc.com/news/re/12096331.html |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} The Bonney-Watson funeral home, located immediately south of the station, was sold for redevelopment in 2017.{{cite news |last=Macz |first=Brandon |date=July 31, 2017 |title=Bonney-Watson under contract to sell Capitol Hill property |url=http://www.capitolhilltimes.com/Content/Business/Business/Article/Bonney-Watson-under-contract-to-sell-Capitol-Hill-property/108/468/5083 |work=Capitol Hill Times |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814133901/http://www.capitolhilltimes.com/Content/Business/Business/Article/Bonney-Watson-under-contract-to-sell-Capitol-Hill-property/108/468/5083 |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |df=mdy-all}}
Services
Capitol Hill station is part of the 1 Line, which runs from between Lynnwood, the University of Washington campus, Downtown Seattle, the Rainier Valley, and Seattle–Tacoma International Airport. It is the eighth southbound station from Lynnwood City Center and fourteenth northbound station from Angle Lake; Capitol Hill station is situated between University of Washington station and Westlake station. The 1 Line operates for twenty hours a day on weekdays and Saturdays, from 5:00 am to 1:00 am, and eighteen hours on Sundays, from 6:00 am to 12:00 am; during regular weekday service, trains operate roughly every eight to ten minutes during rush hour and midday operation, respectively, with longer headways of twelve to fifteen minutes in the early morning and at night. During weekends, Link trains arrive at Capitol Hill station every ten minutes during midday hours and every twelve to fifteen minutes during mornings and evenings. The station is approximately 29 minutes from Lynnwood City Center station, 3 minutes from Westlake station, and 40 minutes from SeaTac/Airport station.{{cite web |date=August 2024 |title=Line 1 Line: Lynnwood City Center — Angle Lake schedule |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/schedule-link-1-line.pdf |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=September 15, 2024}} In 2023, an average of 7,314 passengers boarded Link trains at Capitol Hill station on weekdays.
Capitol Hill station is also served by bus and streetcar stops located near its entrances. The First Hill Streetcar line terminates at Broadway and Denny Way, adjacent to the west entrance, and connects the neighborhood to First Hill, Little Saigon, Chinatown-International District, and Pioneer Square.{{cite map |year=2015 |title=Seattle Streetcar |url=http://seattlestreetcar.org/docs/SeaStcar_map32x25_122915.pdf |publisher=Seattle Department of Transportation |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622130607/http://www.seattlestreetcar.org/docs/SeaStcar_map32x25_122915.pdf |archive-date=June 22, 2017 |df=mdy-all }} King County Metro operates several bus routes that converge at Broadway and East John Street, traveling west towards Downtown Seattle and South Lake Union; east towards Volunteer Park and the Central District; south towards First Hill, Beacon Hill, and the Rainier Valley; and north towards the University District.{{cite map |date=February 2016 |title=Get Around U-District and Capitol Hill |url=http://your.kingcounty.gov/ftp/gis/Web/VMC/transportation/GetAround_UDistrictCapitolHill_South_flat-GEO.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814143858/http://your.kingcounty.gov/ftp/gis/Web/VMC/transportation/GetAround_UDistrictCapitolHill_South_flat-GEO.pdf |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |publisher=King County Metro |access-date=August 14, 2017}}{{cite map |date=September 2016 |title=Metro Transit System: Northwest Area |url=http://metro.kingcounty.gov/maps/system/2016/sept/metro-system-map-northwest.pdf |publisher=King County Metro |access-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102035742/http://metro.kingcounty.gov/maps/system/2016/sept/metro-system-map-northwest.pdf |archive-date=January 2, 2018 |df=mdy-all}} On weekends during the spring, summer, and early autumn, a Trailhead Direct shuttle connects Capitol Hill station to North Bend and Mount Si, a popular hiking area.{{cite press release |date=June 13, 2018 |title=Newest transit-to-trails service will make it safer, more convenient to explore Mailbox Peak |url=https://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/constantine/news/release/2018/June/13-trailhead-mailbox-peak.aspx |publisher=King County Metro |access-date=June 25, 2018}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Capitol Hill (Link station)}}
- [https://www.soundtransit.org/ride-with-us/stops-stations/capitol-hill-station Sound Transit Rider Guide]
{{Capitol Hill, Seattle}}
{{Sound Transit railway stations|Blue=y|Central=y|state=collapsed}}
{{Portal bar|Trains|United States}}
Category:2016 establishments in Washington (state)
Category:Capitol Hill, Seattle
Category:Link light rail stations in Seattle
Category:Railway stations in the United States opened in 2016