Staff Biography

Ryan Packer

Ryan Packer has been writing for The Urbanist since 2015, and currently reports full-time as Contributing Editor. Their beats are transportation, land use, public space, traffic safety, and obscure community meetings. Packer has also reported for other regional outlets including BikePortland, Seattle Met, and PubliCola. They live in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle.

Recent Articles

Washington’s First Try at E-bike Rebates Leaves Thousands of Vouchers Unredeemed

84% of Washingtonians offered a $1,200 instant rebate on a new e-bike this spring followed through and made a purchase, compared to just 24% of those who were offered a $300 rebate. The lessons learned during the first roll out of the program are likely to significantly shape the next round of incentives.

City of Seattle Purchases 18-Acre Laurelhurst Property, Scuttling Sprawl Plans

The $64 million sale of the hotly contested Talaris property in Laurelhurst surprised housing advocates who had long been fighting sprawl and pushing for a more forward-thinking urban vision. But with considerable roadblocks to redevelopment still in place, Talaris's future remains uncertain.

Ferguson Proposes Borrowing $3 Billion for Highway Maintenance, Ferries

The governor's proposed $3 billion in bonds would add onto a Washington state transportation budget that already allocates nearly 12% to debt service. With a 60% vote needed to authorize, the idea will likely face considerable skepticism at the state legislature.
A recessed station open to the air through concrete supports

Sound Transit Board Sets Aside Idea of Skipping Second Downtown Tunnel

The cost of additional delay and reduced resiliency in the light rail system were cited as reasons to set aside the idea of dropping Ballard Link's planned tunnel under Downtown Seattle. But the discussion is likely to set up a broader debate of just who benefits from that tunnel -- and who pays for it.

Katie Wilson Taps Angela Brady as Interim SDOT Director

Waterfront revamp veteran Angela Brady is taking over as Seattle's transportation department head, replacing Adiam Emery, who previously served as one of Bruce Harrell's deputy mayors. The Wilson Administration will conduct a broader search for a longer-term SDOT Director in 2026.