An ad includes a collage of two clinking wine glasses, a construction crane, dumplings and a cocktail glass. The title reads:
Clark/Barnes architects want to transform a landmarked office building at Second Avenue and Pine Street into housing, adding 12 additional stories of mass timber construction to accommodate more homes. The innovative project is meeting significant opposition from nearby residents and historic preservation advocates.

Op-Ed: Closing Seattle Schools Is Still a Bad Idea

Last week school board director Liza Rankin wrote a memo to her colleagues suggesting a major new round of austerity for the Seattle Public Schools that could revive a plan to close numerous schools. Robert Cruickshank argues that's the wrong approach.
A tree lined street in Mercer Island's town center, with a four story building on the other side of the street

Mercer Island’s Growth Plan Ruled Out of Compliance with State Law

After the state's Growth Management Hearings Board struck down its plan, Mercer Island now has a year to update its Comprehensive Plan to meet affordable housing requirements. The initial version prioritized making as few zoning changes as possible, leading to a legal challenge from Futurewise.
Wilson stands in front of a lectern with her yellow campaign sign with rainbow streamers behind her.

Katie Wilson Leads Bruce Harrell in Early Primary Election Results

Urbanist-endorsed progressive challenger Katie Wilson is off to a fast start in her bid to unseat Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, leading by nearly 1,300 votes on primary election night. Urbanist-endorsed Seattle City Council candidates Dionne Foster, Alexis Mercedes, and Eddie Lin have also taken commanding leads.
Rinck stands at the lectern and a group of supporters stands behind her, including colleagues Rob Saka and Sara Nelson and Mayor Bruce Harrell.

Seattle Council Greenlights Rinck’s B&O Tax Overhaul

On Monday, the City Council voted unanimously to send the Seattle Shield Initiative to voters this November. Sponsored by Alexis Mercedes Rinck, the proposal shifts B&O tax burden away from small businesses and toward larger ones, raising an estimated $81 million annually to shore up the City budget.

Seattle Growth Plan Amendments Would Shrink Neighborhood Centers, Expand Density Incentives

The Seattle City Council will spend the next month considering the 106 different amendments, which would push the city's growth plan toward allowing more types of housing... or scale back areas where density increases are proposed.
Mayor Bruce Harrell stands at a lectern flanked by Police Chief Shon Barnes and Councilmember Bob Kettle, who chairs the Public Safety Committee. A projection screen displays surveillance footage.

Harrell Pushes to Expand Recently Passed Surveillance Camera Pilot Program

Mayor Bruce Harrell is proposing to expand his three-month-old surveillance pilot program by installing more police cameras and funneling data from hundreds of traffic management cameras into the Seattle Police Department’s real-time crime center. The move has draw criticism from civil liberties groups.
Westgaard wears denim overalls and has a goatee and glasses

Michael Westgaard Centers Renton Council Bid on Upgrading Transit

Michael Westgaard, a labor organizer with Raise the Wage Renton, is challenging incumbent Councilmember James Alberson, Jr. for Renton City Council's Position 1 seat. Transit emerges as a central plank of his platform in this interview with The Urbanist.

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Attendees fill seats in long tables at Teku Tavern two members of House Our Neighbors present to the group.

Campaign Volunteer Training Sessions Headline The Urbanist’s August Events

Join The Urbanist for a Campaign Volunteer Training Session to support our endorsed candidates. We have two dates in August: one in Seattle and one in Redmond.

Meet The Urbanist’s Endorsed Candidates at Our August 17th Party

Tickets are limited. Get yours now to meet our newly announced endorsed candidates at our summer garden party. Mingle with urbanists from across the region and prepare for the election fight ahead.
The six panelists sit at a table with the Urbanist U logo on it and Ryna Packer is off to the side moderating.

Urbanism on the Eastside Panel Hints at Suburban Sea Change

At The Urbanist's “Urbanism on the Eastside” panel earlier this month, panelists discussed a sea change happening in the suburbs that are beginning to urbanize and break free of car dependence. Check out this recap of the discussion.

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A tree lined street in Mercer Island's town center, with a four story building on the other side of the street

Mercer Island’s Growth Plan Ruled Out of Compliance with State Law

After the state's Growth Management Hearings Board struck down its plan, Mercer Island now has a year to update its Comprehensive Plan to meet affordable housing requirements. The initial version prioritized making as few zoning changes as possible, leading to a legal challenge from Futurewise.

Medina Clinging to ‘Semi-rural’ Streets While Vying for Complete Streets Dollars

In pushing back on a requirement to adopt a Complete Streets ordinance to compete for infrastructure grant dollars, Medina's leaders clearly saw a threat of changes being forced on the city. The wealthy enclave doesn't appear to want to change.

Redmond Supportive Housing Project Advances After Appeals Thrown Out

The pair of appeals focused on alleged impact from providing too few off-street parking stalls, but the Hearing Examiner upheld City's decision to permit the project. Plymouth Housing's long-planned project can now advance toward construction.

More Eastside Coverage posts »

Seattle Growth Plan Amendments Would Shrink Neighborhood Centers, Expand Density Incentives

The Seattle City Council will spend the next month considering the 106 different amendments, which would push the city's growth plan toward allowing more types of housing... or scale back areas where density increases are proposed.
A sailboat passes in front of the seating area at Gas Works with the skyline in the distance

Rinck Proposes Restoring Growth Centers Dropped from One Seattle Plan

The potential Seattle Comprehensive Plan changes, which are set to be discussed Monday, would add back growth centers around Gas Works Park, Alki, North Capitol Hill, and other areas. Councilmember Rinck also proposes legalizing corner stores and removing parking mandates citywide.
A woman jogs down Wallingford Avenue on a block of single family homes with Lake Union and the Seattle skyline in the background.

Op-Ed: Seattle Council Should Scale Up Neighborhood Centers in Growth Plan

On Monday, June 23, the Seattle City Council is holding a public hearing on the One Seattle growth plan. Housing advocates must defend the 29 neighborhood centers in the plan and push to add more. Jazmine Smith lays out the case for these eight additions.

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A line forms out the door into the plaza at El Centro de la Raza.

An Audio Recap of The Urbanist’s ‘Future of Seattle Housing’ Panel

Want a deep dive on the latest in Seattle housing policy? The Urbanist has you covered. Check out this recording and transcript of our April housing panel with experts.

Urbanist Reporters Appear on Hacks and Wonks Podcast

The Urbanist's contributing editor Ryan Packer and reporter Amy Sundberg appeared on back-to-back episodes of the Hacks and Wonks podcast this week. Be sure...
Ryan Packer in a bike helmet along a bike path with an autumn-colored tree behind

Ryan Packer Talks Vision Zero, Traffic Safety on Hacks and Wonks...

Ryan Packer broke down local "Vision Zero" traffic safety campaigns on a recent episode of the Hacks and Wonks podcast.

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