Yearly Archives: 2024

Northgate Mall Sees First Housing Start, Continuing Urban Transformation

Three years after the opening of Northgate's Link light rail station, Simon Properties broke ground on the first residential development within their Northgate Mall...
A rendering of the 19-story proposal with Belltown and Downtown skyline in the background.

Belltown Group Tries to Block Taller Buildings Downtown Over Birds

To prevent a 19-story apartment building long in the works, a group of Belltown residents are trying to stop code updates to Seattle's Living Building pilot program. The purported risk of bird deaths headline the group's laundry list of concerns.

Are Trolleybuses Being Forgotten in Metro’s Rapid Transition to Battery Buses?

Carrying nearly 20% of King County Metro boardings, the trolley fleet has been a workhorse of Seattle transit for 84 years. But oddly, trolleybuses have not been a focal point of Metro's plan to electrify its fleet.
Sue Rahr, City Attorney Ann Davison, and Amy Smith (last name is now Barden), the CARE head presented to Seattle City Council's public safety committee.

Seattle Pursues Looser Police Hiring Standards After High-Profile Screening Failure

The Seattle Police Department hired a cop with a record of reckless driving who went on to kill Jaahnavi Kandula while driving recklessly. However, instead of tightening hiring protocols, Seattle officials are looking to loosen them further.

Paris Hopes to Forge a New Model for Olympics-Oriented Development

Paris aims to break the mold, using major public investment for the Olympic Games for lasting benefit to the host city. Improvements include a cleaner Seine, major transit expansion, and a new eco-district. But will those efforts go far enough to win over locals?

Join Us for Tacoma Book Talk with Anna Zivarts, Tom Fucoloro

The Urbanist and Downtown On The Go are excited to co-host a two-part book talk event in Tacoma on Saturday, August 3, featuring Disability...

Seattle’s Waterfront Bike Path Won’t Open Until This Winter

Seattle's long anticipated bike path along a newly remade waterfront won't open until this winter, even as other elements come online. The Overlook Walk is poised to open early this fall.

Seattle Looks to Rescue Sound Transit’s 4th Avenue Transit Street Plan

With the loss of the SoDo Busway for Sound Transit light rail expansion, 4th Avenue S in SoDo will have to accommodate dozens of additional buses per hour. The Seattle Department of Transportation is pushing for a plan that won't worsen safety on the street.