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Commentary

Climate Pledge Arena, Season 2: Better Food, Frostier Drinks, Lots of Goals

To be honest, it’s a little difficult to decide whether this is a food review, a hockey game report, or a look at the...
A sketch of the Pacific Tower parking lot TOD project showing lots of trees and greenery and the 160 apartment homes at the base of the distinctive orange brick Pacific Tower building in Beacon Hill. Image by Weber Thompson.

Seattle Public Utilities Is Exacting Impermissible Capital Improvement Fees

Project requirements suggest a pattern of double charging, which nearly sunk a 160-unit affordable housing project in Beacon Hill. Navigating the Seattle permitting system is...

Seattle Has Worst Air Quality in World as Mayor Harrell Attends C40 Climate Summit

Mayor Bruce Harrell was in Buenos Aires yesterday attending the C40 Climate Summit. Back at home, Seattle's air quality was rated "very unhealthy" and...
A photo of a group of people standing in the street in front of a small multi-family home.

A Reflection on the “Forbidden Houses” of Bothell

Four years ago I moved from a single-family home in Seattle to a condominium in dense downtown Kirkland. It was an adjustment. I loved...
A view of a snow capped mountain behind evergreen trees

The Urbanist Podcast: A Rainier By Any Other Name

In this podcast, managing editor Natalie Argerious and reporter Ray Dubicki talk about the names we put on places and events. It's the second...

The Urbanist Podcast: Homelessness and Health with “Skid Road Author” Josephine Ensign

In this podcast episode, we discuss homelessness, health, and Seattle's own significant history related to these topics with University of Washington Professor Josephine Ensign,...

Fall 2022 Transit Service Changes Should Raise Alarm Bells For Electeds

Local transit agencies in Puget Sound have begun to release their fall service change details. Service is being slashed on a wide range of...

How to Crush a Housing Project The Seattle Way

One saga demonstrates the difficulties developers face in getting infill projects permitted, even after reforms meant to encourage them. The City of Seattle permitting process...