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A Seattle Council committee voted to move forward with Mayor Bruce Harrell's new less lethal weapons bill on Tuesday. Scheduled for a final vote on February 4, this bill is one of the last steps in Seattle exiting the consent decree, but critics are concerned it could impact Seattleites' constitutional rights of free speech and assembly.
Recent Posts
Homebuilders Warn Seattle’s Planned MFTE Changes Threaten to Kill Affordability Program
The Harrell Administration has proposed changes to the Multifamily Property Tax Exemption (MFTE) that housing advocates warn could cause the affordable housing program to “collapse entirely.”
$80 Million Grant Advances South King County’s RapidRide I Toward Construction
The $174 million RapidRide I Line between Renton, Kent, and Auburn is poised to start construction soon after Metro's receipt of a FTA grant in the final days of the Biden Administration. The enhanced bus line is slated to open in 2027.
Sara Nelson Restarts the Debate About Allowing More Housing in SoDo
The idea of encouraging more residential development around Seattle's stadiums had been put on ice in 2023 with the adoption of a citywide maritime and industrial strategy. Nelson's bill reignites that debate just as the council starts to consider the Comprehensive Plan.
Ferguson Pushes Budget Cuts as Washington Legislature Seeks New Revenue
With the baton passing from Jay Inslee to Bob Ferguson, Washington’s governor has placed more emphasis on fiscal austerity to solve the state's looming budget deficit. But some lawmakers are intent on raising new revenue to avoid deep cuts to social programs.
Seattle Hiring Small Army of Planners for Sound Transit 3 Work
A quiet change to the spending categories in Seattle's dedicated transit funding measure mean that the City of Seattle will be able to hire dozens of staff to work on different aspects of Sound Transit planning.
Transit Workers Demand Safety Fixes as They Mourn Shawn Yim
The death of Metro operator Shawn Yim has prompted a broader discussion of safety on Seattle's overall transit system. Ideas for potential fixes are coming from elected officials, union leaders, and bus drivers themselves.
Rent Stabilization Tops Washington Democrats’ Housing Agenda for 2025 Session
Democratic leaders are saying this is the year that the Washington State Legislature will finally pass rent stabilization, with momentum building behind Rep. Emily Alvarado's bill.
Metro Plans Reduced Service as Staff Hold Shawn Yim Memorial Friday
To allow staff to participate in a memorial for slain bus driver Shawn Yim, King County Metro has announced plans for reduced service Friday. Amalgamated Transit Union 587 is honoring Yim with a 10am funeral procession through Downtown Seattle and a memorial service at Lumen Field Event Center.
Join The Urbanist for Meetup at TeKu Tavern on January 7
The Urbanist's first happy hour of 2025 will be Tuesday, January 7th at TeKu Tavern from 5:30pm – 7:30pm. We hope you can join us.
Join for Final Urbanist Happy Hour of 2024 on December 17th
The Urbanist's final happy hour of the year will be held December 17th at TeKu Tavern + Cafe in Seattle from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. No RSVP needed.
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2025 Is Poised To Be the Year of the Eastside
East Link light rail expansions set the stage for boosting housing and transforming streets to overcome car dependence. The next year will be a pivotal, signaling whether Eastside cities are executing an urban transformation or falling back into old exclusionary patterns, ceding regional leadership back to the other side of the lake.
After Density Debate, Kirkland Plans for Future 10-Minute Neighborhoods
Kirkland's 20-year growth plan represents a step back from more ambitious proposals considered earlier this year, but it lays down a marker for where the city is headed next.
Claudia Balducci Wants to Tackle King County’s Challenges Head-On as Executive
In making her case to become the next King County Executive, Claudia Balducci is pointing to her extensive track record of delivering on housing and transportation –– and getting the details right.
More Eastside Coverage posts »
Moore Leads Housing Backlash in Seattle Council’s First Comprehensive Plan Meeting
As the Seattle City Council took its first look at Mayor Bruce Harrell's One Seattle Comprehensive Plan on Monday, Cathy Moore delivered a slow-growth manifesto, tinged with derision for renters, who she portrayed an unengaged and a detriment to neighborhoods.
Local Groups Push to Block Housing in Seattle’s Proposed Neighborhood Centers
By the time the Seattle City Council convenes for the first meeting of the Select Committee on the Comprehensive Plan on January 6, a group of residents from every single council district will have been pushing to scale back proposed zoning changes in their midst, all using similar arguments around lack of infrastructure and loss of neighborhood character.
Last Chance to Comment on Revised Seattle Housing Plan
Today is the last day for public comments in the latest round of process around the One Seattle Comprehensive Plan proposed by Mayor Bruce Harrell to guide the next 20 years of city growth. Housing advocates are pushing the City to go bigger.
More One Seattle Plan posts »
Transportation
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Land Use/Housing
Commentary
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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.
Rian Watt Talks Primary Results on Hack and Wonks Podcast
The Urbanist's Senior Advisor Rian Watt discussed primary election results and the latest happenings at Seattle City Hall on a August 9 episode of...
Urbanist Publisher Doug Trumm Discusses Transportation Levy on Hacks & Wonks...
The Urbanist’s Publisher Doug Trumm was recently on Crystal Fincher's Hacks and Wonks podcast to discuss the Seattle transportation levy proposal, which came in well short of where safe streets advocates were pushing the mayor to go. The episode is a good primer on the levy debate.
More podcast episodes »