What Do You Think Of These U-District Light Rail Station Designs?

The public will have its last chance to weigh in on the design for the University District light rail station this Thursday. The project is 90 percent designed and shows a conservative approach to its public art.

At least, it's conservative compared to Capitol Hill Station. That station features two fighter jets, which appear to explode like brittle origami cranes in a jet kiss over the station platform.

In contrast, the University District Station features architectural elements common in the neighborhood – a fire escape, a pair of windows – mounted to the station wall as objects of art. The windows will feature screens that show shifting images from the neighborhood.

The U-District Station, northwest of the University of Washington, is scheduled to open in 2021. The University of Washington Station, located at the southeast corner of the university near Husky Stadium, could open any week now, along with the Capitol Hill station. Together, the University and Capitol Hill stations came in $150 million under budget and six months ahead of schedule, according to Sound Transit.

The public will have its last chances to weigh in on the U-District Station design at an open house from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 14 at the Neptune Theater, 13030 N.E. 45th St. The presentation begins at 6:30 p.m.

People who can't attend the open house can call or email their comments to Sound Transit's community outreach specialist, Ryan Bianchi.