We’re not surprised that the Sound Transit board would vote to build its light-rail maintenance yard in Bellevue. After all, it’s the cheapest alternative of four possible sites.

But it can’t be allowed to add insult to injury by turning an ugly decision into an ugly facility.

Since 2009, Bellevue has planned for the redevelopment of the Bel-Red area. The vision included high-density, mixed-use development on what is the last, large section of the city that can handle substantial projects. With the extension of light rail to the Eastside, the Bel-Red area is the perfect place for a light-rail line to link it to Microsoft and the Overlake area to the east and Bellevue’s downtown and Seattle to the west.

What wasn’t in anyone’s mind was a 20-acre rail yard that would be a wart on the face of progress.

To make matters worse, the city estimates that a train maintenance facility would mean a $6 million annual loss of local tax revenue because the land no longer could be used for business, retail and residential projects. Nearby property development company Wright Runstad says siting a rail yard within its $2.4 billion Spring District not only will be a major impact on land use, but also affect interest in future development there.

Sound Transit says it is committed to mitigating the impact of the rail yard. Good. Here’s a suggestion: Put it underground and preserve the land above for development better suited to the city’s needs.

– Craig Groshart, Bellevue Reporter