EVERETT – Parishioners of a south Everett church, facing possible closure based on the potential path of Sound Transit’s light rail line from Lynnwood to Everett, packed the transit agency’s first in-person public hearing, urging officials to pick the path that will spare their church building.
Sonrise Community Church, at 11625 Airport Road, just west of Highway 99, sits in the path of the light rail option known as “Air 1A”. Air 1A is Sound Transit’s short-hand for Airport Way station, a location known as option 1A. Air 1A’s proposed pathway runs along the east side of Airport Road as it crosses Highway 99 as 128th Street S.W. bends northward into Airport Road. (see embeded map illustration.)
On the west side of Airport Road, the light rail path’s alternative track placement is designated as Air 2B—across the street from Sonrise Community Church. Several church members spoke publicly in favor of option Air 2B in an effort to preserve their church and congregation. During the public testimony at Tuesday’s first in-person open house for the Everett Link Extension, known as EVLE, nobody spoke on the record in favor of option Air 1A. However, its possible that written comment could certainly have been submitted to Sound Transit favoring option Air 1A and it would have avoided wider public notice. But given the public comment supporting option Air 2B, and the strong attendance by church members at the hearing held at Mariner High School, this will be a sub-plot to monitor as the Sound Transit Board eventually selects the preferred light rail line path in early 2027 after public comment closes on November 2.
Following are some of the most pointed public comments voiced by those congregation members who presented their stories and their arguments in favor of the light rail option that would keep their church intact.
From a female congregant, “I urge Sound Transit to select Air 2B west of Airport Road because it would cause substantially fewer impacts to homes, businesses, employees, Sonrise Christian Center, land, wetlands, trees, than Air 1A, while also offering a lower estimated cost. I attend Sonrise Christian Center and Air 2B would preserve our church, while Air 1A would displace it.
“Our church supports families and people rebuilding their lives after homelessness and addiction. Losing this community resource affects much more than the building. Sound Transit’s own Draft Environmental Impact Statement shows that Air 1A could displace 17 homes, 27 businesses, and an estimated 140 employees compared to with just five homes, 23 businesses and 50 employees under Air2B.
“Air1A would convert 35 acres to transportation use compared to 22.7 acres under air 2B. Construction impacts would also be substantially lower. Air1A would affect 3.6 acres of wetlands, while air 2B would affect less than one tenth of an acre and require less tree removal. Cost estimates also favor Air 2B at $680 million to $700 million dollars, compared with $690 to $780 million dollars for Air1.
“These ranges overlap, so savings aren’t guaranteed. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement also projects that noise impacts under Air 2B can be reduced below impact thresholds through mitigation. I ask Sound Transit to commit to those protections. Sound Transit’s own environmental report provides compelling evidence for choosing Air 2B. I ask the Sound Transit board to formally select Air 2B as the preferred Airport Road alignment and reject (Air) 1A, unless there is a clear, documented public benefit justifying the additional displacement and higher estimated costs. Protect our homes, preserve our community institutions, minimize environmental damage, and respect the taxpayers who are paying for this project.”
Testimony from a male church parishioner, “I’m here representing the church. I’m a member of Sunrise Christian Center and. As I was looking at the proposed plan for (light rail path) State Route 99 to Airport Road, an option that is not on there, came to my mind (is) right down the middle of Airport Road.
“Speaking with one of your planners, said that option did come up, but the (Snohomish) County didn’t like the idea of the impact on traffic. And first thing came to my head was: We’re in Western Washington. Where do we not have construction impacting traffic at some time? I mean, eventually it’ll get done. People will adjust, and they’ll get used to it. Right? Sound Transit has spans of 500 feet over some wetlands, so I know it’s possible to minimize the impact on the road, and when I did my research, they can actually make those spans up to 800 feet, which would really get over the intersections and minimize the impact.
“I really like the idea, though, of keeping it on I-5 and not even coming into the communities because I do not agree with eminent domain. I love our Constitution, but that’s one part of it, I disagree with. And if you would keep it on I-5 and not impact all these people that are going to lose their homes, businesses, places of worship, it would be a much better option. Thank you.”
This church member introduced herself by name and spoke while holding her newborn daughter, “My name is Brittany Enoch, and I’m here today to speak in support of protecting Sonrise Christian Center from Air1A and supporting Air 2B. Sonrise Christian Center has been a part of this community for 40 years.
“This isn’t just a building, it’s a place of faith, hope, love, and support for people who are going through some of the hardest seasons of their lives. My family is one of those families. During my addiction, this church came beside my dad and my little brother and lifted them up during the darkest times of our Lives.
“When I found out I was pregnant and made the decision to get clean. They welcomed me with open arms. I was saved, married, and baptized in this church. The support and encouragement and love we have received have meant more to us than words can fully express.
“I know we’re not the only family who has been touched by this church and the people in it. When a church like this is threatened, we’re not just talking about land or a building. We’re talking about a community, relationships in a place where people find strength when they need it most.
“I understand that expanding public transportation is important, and I’m not here to say that progress shouldn’t happen. I’m asking you to remember the people and communities who could be hurt by these decisions. I respectfully ask you to protect this church and consider plan Air 2B. Forty years of serving people and families should matter in this decision. Thank you for listening and considering our voices. God bless.”
Another male congregant said for the public record, “We’re also advocating that you would build across the street, away from Sonrise. I know, as a shepherd (in the congregation), one of the things that matters to us is how we lead our people.
“And so, with this new challenge that’s before us, there’s about a thousand people reaching towards that (church congregation) number collectively that would be affecting on how we would lead them. And when you do a deep dive into how we’re working with the generations (people in need) here in the city, that number escalates. As we’ve been reaching into the community, there’s an established trust that’s been developed that does take many years. And so, as we’re approaching the 40-year mark (for the church’s existence), to make a move is going to be quite disruptive (i.e. displacement for the rail line).
“And I’m thinking of the comment: the church is the conscience of a society. And today, a society needs a conscience. I think what’s really key for us is to understand how the community has been developed and the strength of it has to do with the foundations that are in the churches in the community. We’d like you to go to the other side (of Airport Road for the light rail track), leave us standing. Thank you.”
This speaker put his name on the public record, saying, “Good evening, Jim Dobbs. Remember also of Sonrise Christian Center in Everett on Airport Road and advocating again for the Air 2B option as opposed to Air 1A, so that we can save our church.
“My concern is not just about protecting our church, though it’s about responsible spending of taxpayer dollars, minimizing displacement and selecting the alternative that has less overall impact on the community. According to Sound Transit’s own Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Air 1a has an estimated cost of $690 million-700 million dollars.
“Air 2B is estimated at $680 million to $760 million. Air2b has a lower estimated cost range. Why would we choose the alternative that costs more and displaces more people and businesses? The differences are significant. Air 1A could displace 17 homes compared with only five under Air 2B. Air 1A could displace 27 businesses compared with 23 under Air 2B.
“The estimated number of affected jobs is 140 under Air 1A, compared to just 50 under Air 2B. This would also require approximately 12 additional acres of land and transportation use. Beyond those numbers, Air 1A would displace Sonrise Christian Center, a church that provides worship, community services, and support for people overcoming addiction and homelessness.
“I respectfully ask the board to select Air 2B protecting existing community institutions and use taxpayers funds responsibly, as this decision directly affects human, natural, and the physical environment, thank you.”