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Plans and Policy

teal streetcar in Pioneer Square with Smith Tower and other buildings

Center City Streetcar Dominates at Initial Transportation Budget Discussion

A discussion on possible changes to Mayor Durkan's proposed budget for the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) was dominated Friday by further relitigating of...
A photo of people sitting a small beach on a sunny day with evergreen trees in the background.

Improving Bellevue’s Grand Connection: Part 1 – Lake Washington and Main Street

Note: This article was edited on 10/31/21 to add recommendations for improving accessibility on Main Street. Downtown Bellevue is undergoing one of the fastest...
A wide intersection where two streets meet at an angle, some legs without crosswalks.

Durkan’s 2022 SDOT Budget Would Revive Downtown Streetcar, But Makes Few Waves

A "cost-to-continue budget" is how Kris Castleman, the Seattle Department of Transportation's Finance and Administration Division, described the 2022 budget proposed by Mayor Jenny...
Mayor Durkan with Ferris wheel and Seattle waterfront in background

Mayor’s Budget Proposes Adding 35 Cops, Skimps Elsewhere

Mayor Jenny Durkan released her budget today and sent Deputy Mayor Shefali Ranganathan to deliver brief remarks on the proposal to the Seattle City...
Downtown Seattle wall with City Hall sign on it and buildings in the background.

2022 Seattle Solidarity Budget Launches Today

With its official launch, the Seattle Solidarity Budget coalition seeks to influence decision making over the 2022 City of Seattle Budget. This weekend marks...
A photo showing an aerial view of Seattle looking north from the Space needle, housing, roads, and Greenlake are all visible.

The Benefits of Auctioning Off Development Rights

In an era of tight city budgets, legal limits on taxing authority, and expensive problems, it is time for Seattle to get creative. We...
A graphic of blue and green mountains with the skyline of a city in front of them with the words WA Can't Wait in a white box on the left corner.

What It Will Take to Close the Illegal Growth Loophole in 2022

Note: This article was revised on 10/29/21 to reflect Futurewise's decision to rename the "vesting loophole" as the "illegal growth loophole" to more clearly...
A photo shows an empty lot with tall grass on a suburban street.

How the GMA’s Illegal Growth Loophole Works in Practice

Note: This article was revised on 10/29/21 to reflect Futurewise's decision to rename the "vesting loophole" as the "illegal growth loophole" to more clearly...