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Backers of Proposition 1A highlighted a flood of cash from the region's large corporations, including Amazon and Microsoft, promoting alternative Prop 1B. Unlike 1A, Prop 1B would not actually fund social housing or raise new revenue.
Someone on a bike using the new waterfront bike lane with a brightly lit city in the background

Seattle Releases Road Map for Transportation Levy Spending in 2025 and...

The 2025 delivery plan for the first year of the Seattle Transportation Levy spells out a broad array of projects that will enter the pipeline this year.
The Seattle council chambers are filled to the brim. People hold signs to promote their views.

Housing Advocates Outnumber ‘One Seattle’ Opponents, Moore and Rivera Back Opponents

Housing advocates outnumbered opponents by a margin of 89 to 75 during a five-hour public hearing Wednesday on the One Seattle housing growth plan. Nevertheless, several councilmembers made it clear they sided with slow-growth advocates, rather than the majority demanding more housing options.
A parking lot on a hot day in Northgate, with Thornton Place behind

Parking Reform Gains Momentum at Washington Legislature

Senate Bill 5184 would put a cap on out-of-control parking mandates. It passed out of the Washington State Senate's Housing Committee on Wednesday, clearing its first hurdle.
Frame holds a microphone on the floor of senate chambers.

Op-Ed: Wealth Tax on Megarich Would Invest in Washington State’s Future

Despite Governor Ferguson’s hemming and hawing, state lawmakers are advancing a wealth tax that could raise $3 billion annually to fully fund public schools and avert a budget crisis. Passing it would ensure Washington State Democrats are living their values amidst Trump’s assault on public services.
Passengers deboarding an Amtrak train at Portland's Union Station.

State Lawmakers Chart Path to Double Amtrak Cascades Service

State lawmakers are signaling intent to improve Amtrak Cascades service with legislation setting a goal of cutting the trip time from Seattle to Portland to 2.5 hours and boosting service to 14 daily trips with 88% on-time performance by 2035. If lawmakers pass the bill, the goal for trip time service north to Vancouver would be 2.75 hours.
A photo pf the Washington State Court interior chamber.

Op-Ed: Mungia’s Narrow Win Shows Washington Voters Want Sweeping Legal Changes

Washington voters almost picked Dave Larson – a dark-money-backed conservative opposed to our popular capital gains tax – as our newest state Supreme Court justice. The close call indicates liberals need a new strategy: run a reform-minded outsider.
a group of 15 people under a picnic shelter around a picnic with coffee and pastries on it

Eastside Coffee Outside: Brewing Community, One Cup at a Time

Community members gather every Wednesday morning from 7am to 9:30am in Kirkland for Eastside Coffee Outside. Here's how they came together.

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a group of 15 people under a picnic shelter around a picnic with coffee and pastries on it

Eastside Coffee Outside: Brewing Community, One Cup at a Time

Community members gather every Wednesday morning from 7am to 9:30am in Kirkland for Eastside Coffee Outside. Here's how they came together.
The Capitol building in Olympia is marble colored and include pillars and a dome in the classic style.

Rolling Out The Urbanist 2025’s Advocacy Agenda and Early Events

The Urbanist unveils top advocacy priorities for 2025 and offers some ways to get involved.
Teku Tavern and the view east up Denny Way with skyscrapers shining in the night in the background.

Join The Urbanist for February 3 Meetup with House Our Neighbors

Join The Urbanist and House Our Neighbors at TeKu Tavern Monday February 3rd at 6pm to socialize and hear about Prop 1A.

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a group of 15 people under a picnic shelter around a picnic with coffee and pastries on it

Eastside Coffee Outside: Brewing Community, One Cup at a Time

Community members gather every Wednesday morning from 7am to 9:30am in Kirkland for Eastside Coffee Outside. Here's how they came together.
A train in testing arriving at Downtown Redmond, with buildings under construction behnind

Downtown Redmond Light Rail Opening Set for May 10

The 3.4-mile light rail extension will add a station at Marymoor Village, near King County's largest park, and in the heart of Downtown Redmond. The May 10 opening sets the stage for the full extension of the 2 Line across Lake Washington later this year.
An aerial photo of Downtown Bellevue in 2023 on a sunny day, with blue Lake Washington in the foreground

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.

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The Seattle council chambers are filled to the brim. People hold signs to promote their views.

Housing Advocates Outnumber ‘One Seattle’ Opponents, Moore and Rivera Back Opponents

Housing advocates outnumbered opponents by a margin of 89 to 75 during a five-hour public hearing Wednesday on the One Seattle housing growth plan. Nevertheless, several councilmembers made it clear they sided with slow-growth advocates, rather than the majority demanding more housing options.
A Seattle neighborhood with apartment buildings fronting Aurora Ave N, a busy loud street

Harrell Growth Plan Would Produce Fewer Affordable Homes Than Alternative 5

The 1,300-page environmental review of the One Seattle plan shows that the Mayor's preferred plan would increase hardscape, tree removal, and greenhouse gas emissions, while decreasing affordable housing over broadly supported Alternative 5.
A handful of people stand at the railing at Kerry Park overlooking the Seattle skyline with the space needle prominently in the needle and they snap photos.

How Much Housing Growth Should Seattle Be Targeting?

Seattle has set a goal of 112,000 new homes over the next 20 years, but is that really enough to meet demand?

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Transportation

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Land Use/Housing

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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.
Photo of Rian Watt wearing a t-shirt from the National Civil Rights museum and an unbuttoned button down shirt. He is smiling slightly.

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.

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