Lake Washington Boulevard Safety Upgrades Fully Designed Before Mayor Pulled Plug
A major intersection redesign near Seward Park was ready to go to construction with a Mayor's Office review the only impediment, records show. The exchanges reveal what was happening behind the scenes as the public was kept in the dark about the future of upgrades on the high-profile corridor.
Harrell Pledges Police Contract by Year End – Adding Election Wrinkle
Mayor Bruce Harrell has pledged to complete labor negotiations with the Seattle Police Officers Guild before the end of the year. But facing a tough reelection fight, he might not be around to sign the deal, which challenger Katie Wilson may want to renegotiate anyway.
Cash Wave Seeks to Tilt Woodinville Elections Against Housing Growth
Nearly $200,000 in outside spending from a political action committee started by one Woodinville tech worker has upended local politics in the quiet suburb. The goal? Taking down a pro-growth council majority.
Seattle Council Approves Density Bonus, Targeting Areas of Past Housing Discrimination
Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck's newly passed "Roots to Roofs" program is a 35-project pilot that lets nonprofit organizations and the Seattle Social Housing Developer tap into additional development capacity, particularly in areas with a history of past racial covenants.
Katie Wilson Earns MLK Labor Endorsement, Harrell Touts Buttigieg Nod
The race for Seattle Mayor is heating up, with progressive challenger Katie Wilson securing new labor support and incumbent Bruce Harrell ramping up fundraising and attacks on his opponent. Harrell also called in an endorsement from a national Democratic Party leader via Pete Buttigieg.
Harrell Budget Doubles Down on Police Spending
In Mayor Bruce Harrell’s 2026 budget proposal unveiled Tuesday, the Seattle Police Department was the big winner, seeing a $34.5 million increase. The mayor would use a new 0.1% “public safety” sales tax increase and a business tax overhaul to close a $122 million deficit and fund new investments.
King County Council Frontrunner Peter Kwon Averse to Taxes, Bold Plans
While SeaTac City Councilmember Peter Kwon came in first with nearly 28% of the vote in a six-way primary race to be District 5's next King County Councilmember, his campaign’s message has been high-level and light on specifics. In The Urbanist's interview with Kwon, a strong theme of tax-aversion emerged.
Seattle Council Punts on Housing Expansion, Tightens Tree Preservation Rules
Reductions in the size of proposed growth centers and new tree retention rules that could stifle homebuilding were among the dozens of Seattle growth plan amendments approved this week. Council rejected moves to make the plan bolder in a number of areas, fretting over the risk of legal appeals.