Parks and Public Space

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell teased a few urbanist-minded initiatives as he delivered his annual state of the city speech on Tuesday, putting support behind a push to pedestrianize Pike Place and launched a new "Northern Lights" vision to remake Aurora Avenue. Exactly when either change would occur remains unclear.

On Tuesday, King County Executive Dow Constantine unveiled his $1.5 billion proposal to renew the King County Parks Levy, which expires at year's end. The levy funds parks and regional trail expansions, educational programming at partner organizations, and operations and maintenance.

A $5.2 million project overhauling two blocks of Bell Street adds a protected bike lane and pedestrian upgrades, but stops short of full pedestrianization.

The Denny Regrade, completed between 1897 and 1930, changed the face of Seattle's downtown forever. This video from Seattle's municipal archives breaks down how it happened and why.

The idea of slowing drivers along one of the city's most scenic waterfront routes had been seen as the compromise position, in the face of competing visions for Lake Washington Boulevard. But behind-the-scenes, the upgrades have been under attack.

City Beautiful reviews Seattle's new Overlook Walk pedestrian bridge on the revamped waterfront and really likes what they saw.

Bike and scooter riders have been waiting a long time for the separated pathway along Downtown Seattle's waterfront to open. The wait is set to continue for another few months.

John Feit's street end tour visits four "incredible ready-to-visit spots on Union and Portage Bay." These pocket parks make the most of spare public shoreline right of way.