It is situated between the Rainier Beach and Columbia City stations on the 1 Line, which runs from Angle Lake through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Downtown Seattle and the University of Washington as part of the Link light rail system.

It is at the center of the neighborhood's retail area, and is a short distance from a Seattle Public Library branch, the Othello Playground, and the Chief Sealth Trail.

The Othello area developed with short blocks and neighborhood-level retail, creating what the Puget Sound Regional Council called a "moderately walkable" environment.

[6][7] The Great Recession of the late 2000s delayed plans to redevelop strip malls and unused land near Othello station, cancelling several attempts by local businesses to sell properties to real estate developers.

[15] A modern light rail system was proposed by the newly formed Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (RTA) in 1995, including a line running through the Rainier Valley with a stop at South Othello Street.

[16] After the $6.7 billion proposal was rejected by voters in March 1995, the RTA considered building a shorter elevated line on Rainier Avenue, including an option beginning at Columbia City, to the north of Othello, and ending in the University District.

[27] From August 21 to September 16, 2023, areas of Othello station were closed to replace broken and cracked tactile pavers on the platform edge.

At both of the station's entrances are ticket vending machines and an ORCA card reader; beyond that lies the partially covered platform and waiting area, which includes seating and public art.

At the northeast plaza on Myrtle Street is Roger Shimomura's Rainier Valley Haiku, a 13-foot-tall (4.0 m) sculpture that consists of a "totem pole" of stereotypical Asian American items, including a rice bowl, chopsticks, a Japanese wooden sandal, and a graduation cap.

[39][40] Othello station is part of Sound Transit's 1 Line, which runs from between Lynnwood, the University of Washington campus, Downtown Seattle, the Rainier Valley, and Seattle–Tacoma International Airport.

[43][44] Prior to March 2016, route 8 served the Martin Luther King Jr. Way corridor, connecting Othello station to the Central District, Capitol Hill, and Lower Queen Anne.