Based on "limited information," a coalition of progressive advocacy groups and neighborhood leaders sent a critical letter today to Sound Transit, the regional agency building a light-rail line through the Northgate neighborhood, opposing a potential $40 million parking garage at Northgate Mall. The garage would apparently function as a park and ride, encouraging commuters to transfer from cars to mass transit.

But the group contends that I-5, which runs adjacent to the mall, currently serves as a barrier to the transit station—and that money would be better spent, not by building a parking garage, but by building a pedestrian bridge over the freeway. As they explain: "Direct access from the station to the west side of I-5 will reunite the neighborhoods and provide station access to thousands of potential light rail riders, including the nearly 7,000 students, faculty, and staff who attend and work at North Seattle Community College."

"Currently, most of the people who park at the Northgate Transit Center live within a 3-mile radius," the group adds. "The 900-stall garage would increase the number of people who drive rather than encouraging more people to walk, bike, ride, and live at Northgate."

I've posted the whole letter here.