What We’re Reading: Bullet Train, Black Urbanists, and Banking on Density

This one makes sense: Simon Fraser University students want an aerial gondola to reach the mountainous enclave college as a last-mile solution from SkyTrain.

Toxic executive: With Jeff Bezos stepping down, he leaves a toxic legacy behind with his dirty business.

Bullet train: A Baltimore-to-Washington, D.C. maglev train study moves forward ($).

SEA bike news: A bike speed bump had been added on Roosevelt Way NE but was quickly removed, a protected bike lane on 4th Avenue is to be added this year, the Stay Healthy Streets program could be in peril without more long-term funding, and a major proposed policy change could downshift the Bike Master Plan.

Always corrupt: A Trump hotel in Chicago is in violation of water withdrawal and discharge laws.

Housing imbalance: Denver continues to see double-digit housing price increases, which are blamed on a housing imbalance.

Science-based decisions: A new federal ruling allows the Biden administration’s Environmental Protection Agency to use a broad set of scientific studies to regulate for public health ($).

Second run: Fremont Brewing co-owner Sarah Nelson is running for the Seattle City Council again.

Build back better: Amtrak is proposing five new routes to serve Ohio.

Five months in: What has been learned from Seattle’s Black Brilliance Research Project so far?

Black urbanists: Planning Magazine highlights 11 Black urbanists that every planner should know.

Amazon’s helix: For Amazon’s Virginia headquarters outpost, the company is proposing a helix-shaped and heavily vegetated tower ($).

Early policy objectives: Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg had a lot to say during his first week on the job.

Radical car activist: Surprising no one, Senate Transportation Chair Steve Hobbs has proposed a car-first transportation bill leaving little money for multimodal investments and penalizing biking.

The overlay: Philadelphia neighborhoods continue to try and control land use by expanding the use of special overlay districts.

CA preemption battles: Some Santa Monica city councilmembers are unhappy that state-mandated housing targets are forcing the city to deliver affordable housing.

Complete count: Homelessness counts have long been imperfect, but no one really knows how many Americans are experiencing homelessness ($). Perhaps it’s time fix that, The New York Times argues.

On the block: Capitol Hill Seattle Blog covers two new housing projects, including the Heartwood Apartments by Community Roots Housing on E Union St and a Liz Dunn project planned in the Central District. The Frederick Anhalt La Quinta apartments are also going through the landmarking process.

Big Tacoma project: A new 300-unit development in Tacoma will deliver a substantial number of affordable housing units with it.

Recommendation: A controversial Queen Anne development project at the hilltop Safeway finally moves out of design review.

WA decriminalization: Following Oregon’s possession decriminalization of hard drugs, Washington could be poised to follow.

Banking on density: On False Creek in Vancouver, the Squamish Nation is planning a very dense, sustainable district for 9,000 residents.

Something to watch: Professional jobs have recovered in Seattle beyond pre-pandemic levels, but office leasing has tanked ($).

All-day service: Chicago’s regional suburban rail operator Metra is looking to move beyond just peak commuting hours.

Singapore’s lessons: What lessons can Singapore offer the Biden administration on housing?

Helpful roots?: Streetsblog highlights how Pete Buttigieg’s Midwest roots could wind up making him a great transportation secretary.

Slapped down: Amazon is ordered to pay millions to flex drivers for tips withheld ($) and must allow a new unionization effort to move forward.

Consent decree: A federal judge rules further on Seattle’s policing consent decree in the wake of city council actions.