Stay home: A wide range of businesses have been ordered to close to reduce the coronavirus epidemic in Washington.
Preempting eviction: Seattle has issued an expanded moratorium on evictions and additional employee leave rights, including an eviction moratorium commercial and nonprofit tenants. King County’s superior court and King County Sheriff’s Office have halted eviction proceedings. And Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced a shorter eviction moratorium for the state.
Staying afloat: How are governments throughout America helping people avoid eviction, foreclosure, and the lights and water being turned off?
Vote by mail: Sightline explains how vote-by-mail could save the nation’s elections in spite of coronavirus.
Ad maiorem Dei gloriam: Washington’s Lieutenant Governor Cyrus Habib plans to join the Jesuits, a religious order of the Roman Catholic Church. Several Democrats are expressing interest in succeeding him.
Healthier transit: With coronavirus spreading, does free transit make it safer to ride buses?
Curbside pickups: Seattle is rolling out special curbside pickup areas near restaurants to help them do more business during the coronavirus epidemic.
Social distancing: Ridehailing companies are suspending shared rides due to coronavirus risks.
Federal assistance required: Transit agencies are asking for federal help to cover a massive drop in fare revenue due to declining ridership from the coronavirus epidemic.
Forest Practices: A loophole in state permitting for forest practices is allowing clear cutting in land that should be protected in urban areas.
NYC’s next megaproject: The railyards in Sunnyside, Queens may finally get a big redevelopment with lots of housing, but there have been many dreams of prior dual use as a railyard and other things like sports arenas.
Food assistance needed: Coronavirus is making the situation a dire food crisis for some in great need.
Other options wanted: Most people who drive wish they had other options, according to a Data for Progress poll.
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.