Important questions remain despite a newly unearthed report, including how police first obtained sensitive medical information, why the City’s inspector general continued to be directly involved, despite recusal due to conflict of interest, and why the Mayor’s Office opted to hire and accept the findings of another external consultant, following the original investigation’s sustained allegations.

June 4th Seattle Candidate Forum to Focus on Transportation and Housing

The Urbanist will be co-hosting a Seattle candidate forum on June 4th along in Beacon Hill along with allied housing and transportation organizations. It will be a fantastic change to hear from candidates for Seattle Mayor and City Council. RSVP today!

Kenmore Considers McMansion Tax in Zoning Overhaul

Kenmore is considering a mandatory inclusionary zoning policy that would not be paired with funding or incentives — passing affordability costs onto housing developers. But, in a shift away from the Planning Commission’s recommendation, the City Council directed staff to draft a policy that would encourage smaller, more affordable homes while requiring larger (typically more expensive) new homes to include affordable units or pay a fee. 

Judge Dismisses Last-Ditch Challenges of Draft Seattle Growth Plan

Quick decisions by a King County Superior Court ruled that two separate challenges to the One Seattle Plan's environmental review will have to wait until the Seattle City Council makes a final decision on the growth plan.
A large home in North Capitol Hill with a sloping front lawn

Seattle Just Rezoned the Entire City — That Was the Easy...

To meet a state deadline, the Seattle City Council legalized fourplexes and sixplexes across the entire city via the adoption of an interim code Tuesday. The move is just a prelude to a bigger fight over urban density, as Council advances Mayor Bruce Harrell's broader growth plan.

Op-Ed: Seattle Water-Main Cost-Sharing Proposal Does Not Go Far Enough

Civil engineer Donna Breske argued Seattle Public Utilities misguided water hookup policies lead to unequal outcomes, effectively downzoning much of the city where fees are too high to make projects feasible.

Sound Transit Greenlights Bothell Stride Bus Base Construction Contract

The impending start of construction of the 12.5-acre bus base in Canyon Park marks a significant milestone for the Sound Transit Stride bus rapid transit network, expected to open in phases between 2028 and 2029.

Nathan Vass: The New Book Is Here!

Nathan Vass shares what inspired him to write his second book, Deciding To See, which just came out. A King County Metro bus operator and supervisor by day, the author has a release event at Elliott Bay Books on Friday night.

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June 4th Seattle Candidate Forum to Focus on Transportation and Housing

The Urbanist will be co-hosting a Seattle candidate forum on June 4th along in Beacon Hill along with allied housing and transportation organizations. It will be a fantastic change to hear from candidates for Seattle Mayor and City Council. RSVP today!

Join Us for The Urbanist’s Summer Garden Party, Bike Rides, Forum

We are hosting a flurry of events over the next month, including our May 31st bagel-themed bike ride, a June 4th Seattle candidate forum, and a Bellevue garden party on June 8th. Space is limited, so get tickets now.
A line forms out the door into the plaza at El Centro de la Raza.

An Audio Recap of The Urbanist’s ‘Future of Seattle Housing’ Panel

Want a deep dive on the latest in Seattle housing policy? The Urbanist has you covered. Check out this recording and transcript of our April housing panel with experts.

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Sound Transit Greenlights Bothell Stride Bus Base Construction Contract

The impending start of construction of the 12.5-acre bus base in Canyon Park marks a significant milestone for the Sound Transit Stride bus rapid transit network, expected to open in phases between 2028 and 2029.

Sound Transit Starts I-90 Testing, Full 2-Line Opening Slips to 2026

The unpowered tow across the I-90 floating bridge Wednesday marks a big milestone for the beleaguered East Link project. A grand opening of the 2 Line in early 2026 is highly dependent on how the next few months of testing go.
A photo of colorful townhouses with a tree in front.

Bellevue Councilmembers Twist Themselves in Knots Over Middle Housing Changes

Presented with a recommendation to allow additional density beyond a state mandate, a bloc of Bellevue's council pushed for more process and study. This November's election, when five of seven councilmembers must defend their seats, looms large in the background.

More Eastside Coverage posts »

Judge Dismisses Last-Ditch Challenges of Draft Seattle Growth Plan

Quick decisions by a King County Superior Court ruled that two separate challenges to the One Seattle Plan's environmental review will have to wait until the Seattle City Council makes a final decision on the growth plan.
A large home in North Capitol Hill with a sloping front lawn

Seattle Just Rezoned the Entire City — That Was the Easy...

To meet a state deadline, the Seattle City Council legalized fourplexes and sixplexes across the entire city via the adoption of an interim code Tuesday. The move is just a prelude to a bigger fight over urban density, as Council advances Mayor Bruce Harrell's broader growth plan.
A five-story apartment building along Aurora Avenue with the sunset in the background.

Harrell Chops Off Dozens of City Blocks from Planned Growth Centers

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has shrunk the dimensions of eight neighborhood centers and six urban center expansions he proposed last year. The move chops dozens of blocks off the growth centers, limiting opportunities for apartments and affordable homebuilding and drawing criticism from housing advocates.

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Transportation

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Land Use/Housing

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Commentary

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A line forms out the door into the plaza at El Centro de la Raza.

An Audio Recap of The Urbanist’s ‘Future of Seattle Housing’ Panel

Want a deep dive on the latest in Seattle housing policy? The Urbanist has you covered. Check out this recording and transcript of our April housing panel with experts.

Urbanist Reporters Appear on Hacks and Wonks Podcast

The Urbanist's contributing editor Ryan Packer and reporter Amy Sundberg appeared on back-to-back episodes of the Hacks and Wonks podcast this week. Be sure...
Ryan Packer in a bike helmet along a bike path with an autumn-colored tree behind

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.

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