Transit Oriented Development Lynden Transit Station

Background
Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) is a Public Transportation Benefit Area formed under RCW Chapter 36.57A, and provides public transit service throughout Whatcom County, Washington. WTA’s services include fixed route, paratransit, rural dial-a-ride, on-demand, and vanpool service, as well as a fixed route into neighboring Skagit County. The purpose of this Request for Qualifications is to select the most qualified respondent for the development, construction, and operation of the Lynden Transit Station into a multi-unit, affordable housing development while maintaining a transit component.
WTA envisions the development will make transit more convenient while increasing the supply of affordable workforce housing.

Work Details
The Lynden Transit Station comprises two legal lots of record with tax parcel numbers 400319 081114 0000 and 400319 085079 0000. The project involves developing, constructing, and operating an affordable housing facility located at 1945 Front Street in Lynden, Washington in conjunction with WTA’s continued use of a small portion of the property for public transportation services.
The project will be a Transit Oriented Development (TOD) that will foster and strive to increase transit use, minimize automobile use and the need for parking, promote walkability, encourage car-sharing and bicycling.
The project will also incorporate public benefits including usable open space and recreation resources, preservation of identified environmental resources, and transit-related use of a portion of the Property.

Period of Performance
The RFQ was issued on February 22, 2024. The deadline for RFQ Submittal is Tuesday April 2, 2024. The Ground Lease must be mutually agreed upon within six (6) months following issuance of the Notice of Intent to Award.

Place of Performance
The Lynden Transit Station is located at 1945 Front Street in Lynden, Washington.