Environment & Sustainability

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.

Sunday Video: Is Mass Timber Revolutionizing Midrise and Highrise Design?

Uytae Lee of About Here ticks through the design entrants at a recent mass timber architecture competition, showcasing the vast architectural diversity possible with the eco-friendly construction method.
An aerial image shows a yellow line demarcating the trail route through the play fields to the nature area along Union Bay.

Op-Ed: UW’s Union Bay Hypocrisy: Public Land, Private Fence

The Union Bay Natual Area is 74 acres of public open space with miles of trails, but the University of Washington has rebuffed advocates pushing to remove a fence and add a trail to improve access. Here's why they should reconsider.

King County Metro Delays Planned Electrification Work, Pushing Out Fiscal Cliff

Pivoting away from full-scale bus base retrofits that go all-in on battery electric buses means that Metro won't face a fiscal cliff until the early 2030s, according to budget writers. Metro's General Manager also framed the move as one that helps to preserve core bus services.

Seattle Narrows Down Options for Initial ‘Low Pollution Neighborhoods’

The Seattle Department of Transportation is eyeing seven neighborhoods with high rates of pollution, low car ownership rates, and high collision intersections, such as South Park, Lake City, and Capitol Hill, for its low-pollution pilot program. The list will ultimately be whittled down to three program sites.
A white six story building with jutting windows.

Seattle Social Housing Developer Strives for High Sustainability and Affordability Standards

With a mandate to design its buildings for an ambitious green housing standard called “Passive House” while maintaining affordability, Seattle's newly funded social housing authority has an important point to prove.
A big flock of pigeons peck around a mostly empty parking lot with one flat bed truck nearby

Why Shoreline’s Vote to Erase Parking Mandates Is a Big Deal

Parking reform has become a national movement, aimed at reducing housing costs. With a nudge from state law, Shoreline joins the trend to support urban development and a shift toward greener transportation options.
Action shot catches the ceremonial first shovelful of dirt from a row of officials in mid-air.

Sound Transit Breaks Ground on Stride Electric Bus Base in Bothell

This week, Sound Transit broke ground on a $274 million base in Bothell vital to the region's Stride bus rapid transit plans. The base will support battery electric buses for the S1, S2, and S3 lines, which together compose 45 miles of service spanning from Lynnwood to Burien.