Re: “From Deadmond to Redmond, light rail transforms a suburb to a city” (May 4, Local News):
The article paints an optimistic picture of Redmond’s future with light rail. With an average of 11 crashes per year on Redmond Way, I think safer transit is overdue. As a University of Washington student living in the University District of Seattle without a car, I know how hard it is to find affordable housing near school or work. Light rail helps, but it doesn’t fix everything.
The article notes that 700 people applied for 21 “affordable” units starting at $1,091. Even that is hard to manage on a part-time income while trying to stay in school. Without more options, students and low-income workers face long commutes, packed trains and missed opportunities.
Author and activist Jane Jacobs warned that city planning often ignores lived experience. Redmond risks doing the same by celebrating growth while offering too little support to those most impacted.
Deeply affordable housing must be tied to future transit. If light rail is going to connect us, it needs to serve all of us.
Alex Mendoza, Seattle
