After the $54 billion ST3 package passed in November, Sound Transit is moving ahead with plans to purchase the former Sound Ford site, but there may be some “complications.”

Sound Transit is in process of getting a protective acquisition for the former Sound Ford site at the intersection of Rainier Avenue South and Grady Way, as well as completing the necessary environmental reviews, said Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff at a Jan. 23 Renton City Council meeting. He also mentioned there are “some complications with the site,” but that they were working with the city staff to successfully acquire the site.

The site is also planned to have a 700-spot parking garage, approved as part of the ST3 measure.

The ST3 package will also bring to Renton the Interstate 405 bus rapid transit project, and is slated to begin this year and projected to start running in 2024. The project is part of a Sound Transit’s early deliverables projects and is one of the first projects in the ST3 plan to be completed.

The BRT is said to work as light rail on wheels and estimated to reduce travel times during peak hours. There will be two stations in Renton, one in the South Renton Transit Center and the other one at Northeast 44th Street, which will include a 200-spot parking space.

BRT is expected to reduce travel times since buses will run either on express toll lanes, HOV lanes or bus only lanes. Traveling from Renton to Bellevue during peak hours is expected to take 20-25 minutes, and traveling to Tukwila International Boulevard Station is expected to take 11 minutes.

When asked about maintenance of the transit centers and facilities, Rogoff said that it would be Sound Transit’s responsibility, and if necessary, they could explore partnership agreements with the city on the issue.

“We are proud of the way we maintain our stations,” he added. “We think taxpayers are very proud of the facilities they are in, and that’s not always the case with transit systems across America. Those problems are not ones we’re looking to replicate here.”

When asked about whether parking would be free, Rogoff said that the parking is currently free, but that there is a possibility for charges in the future.

“There is a policy in place to eventually move for the board to consider paid parking,” he said. “There’s opportunities to make improvements to certain local communities through the potential assessment of parking fees.”

Rogoff added that it is unclear whether payment will be across the board for all cities, or whether it will apply for all parkers. The board is reportedly still considering this issue.

Councilwoman Ruth Perez inquired about the projected timeline for study of the feasibility of getting light rail to Renton. Rogoff said that currently there is no date set for the study.

“Normally we look at the establishments and studies of new lines at the end of the capital program we have been on,” he said. “Sound Transit has never had a 25-year long capital program before. I don’t believe that citizens of Renton are interested in us waiting toward the end of a 25-year program for this study. So we should consult with each other on what is the appropriate timing to get this thing started.”

The study was one of the three items Renton council formally requested to add in the ST3 package in May 2015. The other amendments included adding a return to the “intensive capital option” for BRT, which would mean more stations in Renton, and enhanced parking at the South Renton Transit Center from 700 to 2,000 spaces. Sound Transit agreed to add the BRT station on Northeast 44th Street, but did not increase the number of parking spaces at the transit center.