VanCan commiseration: The Vancouver, BC area’s transit referendum failed by wide margins this week, despite grand plans for expansion of SkyTrain and local bus service.
It’s just that simple: It’s safer for people walking and biking when more people are walking and biking because people driving pay more attention.
Regulating Lowrise: Ethan Phelps-Goodman digs deep into the data on those 4+ story Lowrise buildings that have caused local controversy using Seattle in Progress and permitting data.
Map of the Week: A supercharged map of the West Coast Electric Highway.
Far too short: A 4-year-old dies in an Issaquah crosswalk while another 2-year-old perishes at an intersection in Redmond. If that weren’t enough, Seattle sees the first death of a bicyclist since Sher Kung last year.
Toxic law: The Supreme Court made a lazy decision on EPA rules meant to reduce air pollution.
Loosening up on pot rules: The Washington State Legislature has enacted new rules that could allow marijuana-oriented businesses within 100 feet (down from 1,000 feet) of some sensitive uses; taxes are also set to be simplified and reduced.
New Regional Growth Center: With two small studies remaining, Central Issaquah is well on its way to be officially designated as a new Regional Growth Center by Puget Sound Regional Council, the regional planning authority.
New Seattle projects: Renderings of two mid-rise blocks set to go up on KING5’s South Lake Union digs are out, plus, next door neighbors plan a 24-story tower. But, Edith Macefield’s “Up” house redevelopment is, again, a no-go.
New wayfinding: Sound Transit released their new wayfinding designs for transit stations, including a series of future light rail station pictograms.
Absent of nice words: The local blogosphere condemned many of the gimmicks and ploys in the statewide transportation bill. But, Seattle Bike Blog highlighted some of the modest improvements for biking and walking funding in the bill.
WA State budget approved: Crosscut gives a rundown of what passed out the Washington State Legislature for the biennial budget.
Return of the Burke: Rainier Vista and the Burke-Gilman Trail have reopened on the south end of the the University of Washington campus.
All about that waterfront: CityLab profiles the Seattle Waterfront and its major projects, Seattle Bike Blog analyzes the planned bike infrastructure, and SDOT declares it reopens for the summer.
Homeless encampments: Three possible locations for future homeless encampments in Seattle.
Urban policing: One police officer in Chattanooga, TN developed a way to determine if drivers violate the three-foot rule for bicyclists. Meanwhile, Seattle PD gets some good coverage on their LEAD program, which is helping drug addicts.
Quiet restrictions: The US Navy is quietly restricting development in Hood Canal and near Bremerton in order to protect their activities.
Crafty state: Washington has the most craft distilleries in the US.
Stephen is a professional urban planner in Puget Sound with a passion for sustainable, livable, and diverse cities. He is especially interested in how policies, regulations, and programs can promote positive outcomes for communities. With stints in great cities like Bellingham and Cork, Stephen currently lives in Seattle. He primarily covers land use and transportation issues and has been with The Urbanist since 2014.