Yearly Archives: 2024
Urbanism 101: Zoning’s History and Role in the Housing Crisis
Originally hatched as a subtler method to promote racial segregation, zoning ended up planting the seeds of our present day housing crisis. This Zoning 101 guide delves into how that history unfolded.
Washington Transit Agencies Sound the Alarm About Impacts from I-2117
If approved, Initiative 2117, repealing 2021's Climate Commitment Act, would put $2.39 billion in funding for transit agencies across the state over the next 16 years at severe risk of evaporating.
Harrell’s Expanded Surveillance Program Clears Hurdle in Seattle Council
Despite public outcry and limited outreach, Seattle City Council’s public safety committee greenlit Mayor Harrell's pilot program installing 24/7 surveillance cameras in three neighborhoods and purchasing real-time crime center software and staff. The legislation moves to a full council vote on October 8.
Harrell Swipes Affordable Housing Dollars to Backfill Budget, Reduce Service Cuts
Under the budget for the next two years proposed by Mayor Bruce Harrell, around half of the JumpStart funding originally earmarked for affordable housing and other investments would instead fund Harrell Administration priorities.
Seattle Council Streamlines Development Downtown with 3-Year Design Review Bypass
New housing, hotel, and research science developments in Seattle's downtown core will be exempt from the onerous design review process for three years. Only Councilmember Cathy Moore voted against the proposal.
Policy Lab: Ban Algorithmic Rental Price-Setting
At least half of Seattle's apartments are priced using algorithms like RealPage, which is facing a federal lawsuit for illegal price fixing. The Seattle City Council should ban such algorithms, Katie Wilson argues.
Landlords Face Price Fixing Lawsuit, but Advocates Are Looking for More
RealPage is facing a federal lawsuit alleging its price-fixing algorithm illegally set thousands upon thousands of rents nationwide. Tenant advocates are seeking deeper solutions, in addition to banning this practice.
Seattle’s Low-Pollution Neighborhood Pledge Remains in Planning Mode, Seven Years In
London's Pavilion Road, fully pedestrianized in 2021, represents a strong contrast with Seattle's plans to reduce pollution by transforming streets, still stuck in the planning stage despite nearly seven years of work.