Author: Doug Trumm

Barnes is a black man with glasses pictured posing in a police uniform.

Harrell Taps Top Madison Cop for Chief, Fires Diaz for Lying

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has tapped Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes for top cop. Demoted former police chief Adrian Diaz, meanwhile, was sent packing for lying to investigators over his romantic relationship with his chief of staff.

Sunday Video: Can Trains Save Seattle?

City Beautiful's urbanism content creator, Dave Amos, recently visited the Seattle area to explore future transit-oriented development sites and the planning that is going...

Riders Plan Vigil for Metro Bus Driver Shawn Yim Following Stabbing

The transit operators union is hosting a vigil tonight, Saturday, 7pm at 15th Avenue NE and NE 41st Street in the U District, near where King County Metro bus driver Shawn Yim died in a recent stabbing.
A rendering shows detached three story townhome with parking and alleys on the bottom.

Last Chance to Comment on Revised Seattle Housing Plan

Today is the last day for public comments in the latest round of process around the One Seattle Comprehensive Plan proposed by Mayor Bruce Harrell to guide the next 20 years of city growth. Housing advocates are pushing the City to go bigger.
A group of a half dozen passengers walk to board a train

WSDOT Wins $50 Million Grant for Cascadia High-Speed Rail Planning

A new $49.7 million grant will advance Cascadia high-speed rail project farther along the federal planning pipeline. A line vastly cutting the travel times between Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver is a small step closer to reality.

Bellingham Votes to End to Parking Mandates in Housing Push

On Monday, Bellingham joined the growing list of cities that have opted to eliminate parking mandates citywide. Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund and an allied city council have more housing reforms on deck.
Pedestrians cross Denny Way at the Harvard Avenue intersection with midrise apartment buildings in the background.

Seattle Reveals Midrise Zoning Proposal for Phase 2 of Growth Plan

Proposed Phase 2 One Seattle Comprehensive Plan changes would focus on midrise zones, in hopes of adding additional housing capacity in existing urban centers and the 30 proposed “neighborhood centers.” OPCD hopes to introduce Phase 2 legislation in May, with council passage expected around September 2025. Public comment is open until December 20.
A light rail train in SoDo passes under highway overpasses and enters an intersection.

Sound Transit Delays Link Repairs, Schedules New Disruptions in Early 2025

Sound Transit is delaying repair work that had been planned December 7 and 8, but expanding its maintenance work and service disruption schedule in January and February.