Yearly Archives: 2025

Up to 800 homes could advance on two underdeveloped retail sites in Kirkland's Juanita neighborhood thanks to a zoning update that raises height limits to 75 feet. The road to get to this point involved nearly two years of process, and nearly became derailed ahead of a final council vote.

Rainier Avenue has too many cars traveling at dangerous speeds, but conventional planning practices make it hard to change that and design a future where Rainier Avenue thrives. Let's stop making harmful assumptions, Anna Zivarts writes.

In this short video, Hanoch Yeung of Best Side Cycling shares vignettes of Federal Way Link opening day events, some in-motion clips along the route, and elements of the station grounds at the there new light rail stations.

Sound Transit's analysis, prompted by a request from King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci, looks at ways to get to Ballard without a new tunnel under Downtown Seattle. While the potential cost savings could be as much as $4.5 billion, the idea of delaying Ballard Link even further on top of significant risk factors makes additional consideration by the board unlikely.

The board motion advanced this week asks for one final look at where fare gates would make sense in Sound Transit's light rail system before implementing a potential pilot program before the end of 2026.

In a 6-3 vote, Seattle City Council approved a police guild contract that falls short on officer accountability and continues to hinder civilian crisis responders. A parting gift from outgoing Mayor Bruce Harrell, the contract could hamstring the incoming administration of Katie Wilson.

The Seattle Monorail should serve local residents, not just tourists. Unfortunately, the plan to end transfer credits in 2026 will gouge local riders and discourage ridership. The City should demand that monorail honor transfers between other transit services.

Rhonda Lewis, who served as King County's chief of operations before becoming Zahilay's chief of staff, has pledged to serve as a caretaker and not run for election next fall.