Yearly Archives: 2024

Sunday Video: How Elevated Rail Makes Cities Better

In North America, modern rail transit usually avoids conventional elevated lines in dense cities and even suburbs. Reece Martin of RMTransit discusses what makes elevated rail so good.

Sound Transit Study Bolsters Case Against CID Station at Fourth Avenue

A third-party consultant told the Sound Transit board this week that the Fourth Avenue station option in Chinatown is "not reasonably constructible," due to lengthy construction timelines and a laundry list of risks that come with construction next to a BNSF rail line.

Op-Ed: Two Simple Steps to Save Schools by Taxing the Rich

Get Seattle’s biggest businesses to ante up $5 million now to prevent school closures, then get the Washington State Legislature to pass a wealth tax on the super-rich, enabling Washington’s public schools to thrive.

Builders Continue Pivot to Housing in Downtown Bellevue

In shift away from office and toward housing growth, Downtown Bellevue's development pipeline has seen nearly 4,000 additional homes proposed and more than two million square feet of office space abandoned in just the last couple of years. Once built, the pipeline of 14,000 homes would more than double the population of downtown.
A sign reads Resilient communities on the lectern in the lobby of city hall and people stand behind the speaker holding signs saying a protest JumpStart commitments and invest on Seattle's future.

Amid Budget Showdown, Advocates Mount Defense of JumpStart Housing Funds

On Tuesday, progressive advocates rallied at Seattle City Hall to make a last-ditch defense to reverse a $330 million JumpStart cut that would deplete affordable housing funding. Tuesday was the last public hearing before Council finalizes the budget next week.

Seattle Architects Unveil Designs for Social Housing Ahead of February Vote

New renderings, created by Neiman Taber Architects, present a vision for voters of what publicly-funded social housing would look like in Seattle. A dedicated funding source for social housing is on the ballot in February via Prop 1A.

The Urbanist Is Hiring a Director of Development & Events

The Urbanist is hiring a Director of Development & Events. Join our award-winning team that produces advocacy journalism that makes a difference in the Puget Sound region. We are accepting applications through December 9. Apply today by sending us a resume and cover letter.

South Federal Way’s Neighborhood Plan Takes Shape Around Light Rail Station

The area around a future light rail station in South Federal Way could see a significant amount of new housing and retail uses under the plan approved earlier this month. It is currently dominated by big box stores and industry.