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New developments downtown would get an exemption from design review for three years under a proposal from Mayor Harrell. But first he must win over the Seattle City Council.
Recent Posts
Spot Fixes to Improve Safety on Lake Washington Boulevard Move Forward
Traffic safety improvements including crosswalks and speed cushions are coming to Lake Washington Boulevard. But they stop short of the transformation many Seattle residents want to see in the corridor.
Jerusalem Demsas on How Housing Became a Crisis
The Urbanist interviewed the author of a new book called "On the Housing Crisis," which delves into exclusionary land use and the political dysfunction keeping it in place.
Lynnwood City Center’s Growth Aspirations Hinge on Two Slow-Moving Megaprojects
Builders have nearly 3,000 homes in the works near Lynnwood's freshly opened light rail station. But more than half hang on two massive projects that are in limbo.
Seattle’s Downtown Activation Plan Remains Stuck in Low Gear
A year into announcing its ambitious Downtown Activation Plan, the Harrell Administration is touting successes. But so far those are primarily spot improvements, with many big initiatives in limbo or on hold.
Lynnwood Link Opens to Huge Crowds and Night Markets
Lynnwood Link opened on Friday and the excitement was high among riders and dignitaries, alike.
Sunday Video: How American Fire Departments Are Getting People Killed
Fire departments rightly get high praise for fighting fires, rescuing people, and saving lives. But North American fire departments have been resistant...
Tacoma’s Lincoln District Gets Tree Planting Boost with Green Blocks Program
Tacoma's Green Blocks program is expanding into the Lincoln International District in October and looking for residents looking to help plant and care for trees.
Join The Urbanist for Our Monthly Meetup Tonight
Join The Urbanist for our monthly meetup tonight (August 22nd) from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at Stoup Capitol Hill.
Join The Urbanist’s Lynnwood Link Opening Celebration at Hemlock State Brewing
Join The Urbanist in Mountlake Terrace on August 30 to celebrate the opening of the Lynnwood Link light rail extension.
Join Us for Tacoma Book Talk with Anna Zivarts, Tom Fucoloro
The Urbanist and Downtown On The Go are excited to co-host a two-part book talk event in Tacoma on Saturday, August 3, featuring Disability...
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Proposal for Future Transit Corridor Upzones Draws Sharp Opposition in Kirkland
The idea of allowing denser housing near transit is drawing substantial opposition in Kirkland, including lawn signs. However, the proposed Comprehensive Plan language is barely a proposal yet.
Op-Ed: Bellevue’s New Tree Protections Are a Needed Step Forward
Bellevue recently enacted a bevvy of protections intended to stem the tide of tree canopy loss in suburban residential neighborhoods. It's an important step toward achieving the goal of exceeding 40% tree cover and equitably distributing it across the city.
Bellevue Council Tries to Salvage Pieces of Imperiled Bike Network
It had looked like the idea of reallocating street space to bike lanes was off the table in Bellevue, but a city council discussion last week restarted the debate.
More Eastside Coverage posts »
Single Family Zones Are Biggest Culprits in Displacement of Black Seattleites
Seattle's single family areas have seen their Black population plummet by 9,126 since 1990. Meanwhile, "urban village" neighborhood have added more than 8,000 Black residents in that span. Why then is low-density zoning expected to blunt displacement?
Will Seattle Embrace Multiplexes in Single Family Zones Despite Weak Proposal?
Seattle needs to allow more housing in today's single family zones if it's serious about its housing crisis. Strict multiplex size restrictions need to go from the Mayor's growth plan.
Op-Ed: Boost Seattle’s Growth Plan to Solve the Housing Crisis
The path forward is clear: a revised and ambitious Comprehensive Plan that should reform zoning rules and housing policies to allow more homes of all shapes and sizes; and incentivize affordable housing and homeownership.
More One Seattle Plan posts »
Ryan Packer Talks Vision Zero, Traffic Safety on Hacks and Wonks...
Ryan Packer broke down local "Vision Zero" traffic safety campaigns on a recent episode of the Hacks and Wonks podcast.
Rian Watt Talks Primary Results on Hack and Wonks Podcast
The Urbanist's Senior Advisor Rian Watt discussed primary election results and the latest happenings at Seattle City Hall on a August 9 episode of...
Urbanist Publisher Doug Trumm Discusses Transportation Levy on Hacks & Wonks...
The Urbanist’s Publisher Doug Trumm was recently on Crystal Fincher's Hacks and Wonks podcast to discuss the Seattle transportation levy proposal, which came in well short of where safe streets advocates were pushing the mayor to go. The episode is a good primer on the levy debate.
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