Locke due at transit-center groundbreaking

EVERETT - Gov. Gary Locke is expected to attend tomorrow's groundbreaking for the Everett Station transportation center, scheduled to open in December 2001.

The 64,000-square-foot station at Pacific Avenue and 35th Street will be the connecting point for Sound Transit commuter trains, Amtrak, Community Transit and Everett Transit buses, taxis and airport shuttles.

A consortium of five Washington colleges and universities will offer classes on the station's upper-level floors. Other features include a cafe, community gardens, public art and a fourth-floor meeting room that will seat 200 people.

The groundbreaking cermony will begin at 1 p.m. with music and displays, followed by a 1:30 p.m. program with Locke and other speakers.

Everett Transit will offer free shuttles tomorrow between the station and the Wall Street Building at Wall Street and Wetmore Avenue in downtown Everett. The shuttles will leave downtown at 12:50, 1:05 and 1:20 p.m. and return at 15-minute intervals following the ceremony.

Graphics and other information about the Everett Station may be viewed on the city's Web site, www.ci.everett.wa.us.