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On September 10, The Urbanist is hosting a Madison Valley walking tour featuring staff from the Seattle Office of Planning and Community Development, who will discuss the "neighborhood center" rezone proposed for the area. It will be great preparation for the City's September 12 public comment session on the broader One Seattle growth plan.

‘Save the Corner’ Campaign Targets 92 Affordable Homes on Bainbridge Island

Despite the fact that LIHI's proposed affordable housing project has been advancing for nearly three years, public opposition has kicked up in recent weeks. The new campaign contends that such a prime Bainbridge Island site isn't appropriate for affordable housing.

Sunday Video: Portland’s Streetcar Extension Hopes to Transform Montgomery Park

Urbanism-focused Youtuber Fourth Place delved into Portland's streetcar extension planned to its Montgomery Park neighborhood, just northwest of its existing streetcar loop.

SDOT To Unsnarl Westlake Avenue Transit Pinch Point

With right turns set to be prohibited from Westlake Avenue onto Denny Way, streetcar vehicles and buses will no longer be stuck behind turning car traffic. The change will also benefit the high numbers of pedestrians who use this major intersection.
Action shot catches the ceremonial first shovelful of dirt from a row of officials in mid-air.

Sound Transit Breaks Ground on Stride Electric Bus Base in Bothell

This week, Sound Transit broke ground on a $274 million base in Bothell vital to the region's Stride bus rapid transit plans. The base will support battery electric buses for the S1, S2, and S3 lines, which together compose 45 miles of service spanning from Lynnwood to Burien.

Sound Transit’s 2 Line Is Even More Popular Than We Thought

More than 300,000 riders used the 2 Line in July, a 47% increase over June. Averaging more than 10,000 daily riders, the 10-station line rivals the busiest King County Metro routes in terms of usage.
A BNSF freight train heads north along the Puget Sound coast, passing under the pedestrian bridge at Carkeek Park. A tree-covered ridge is on the left.

Op-Ed: PCC Provides Model for State Rail Ownership in Washington State

Railroad giants like BNSF have often deferred maintenance on their tracks and pressured government to pay for it. This had led some officials to consider taking over ownership, like Washington State did with the Palouse River & Coulee City (PCC) Railroad. Collin Reid lays out the case for greater government intervention in freight rail.
More than 100 advocates hold signs urging a balanced tax code on the steps of the state Capitol building with its many marble columns.

Op-Ed: Tech Workers Must Challenge the Political Power of Their Bosses

Tech workers like me don’t enjoy being a bargaining chip to protect our CEO’s bottom line. And we know better than anyone else that their claims are false: corporate giants can afford higher taxes.

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Join The Urbanist and Seattle OPCD for Madison Valley Walking Tour

On September 10, The Urbanist is hosting a Madison Valley walking tour featuring staff from the Seattle Office of Planning and Community Development, who will discuss the "neighborhood center" rezone proposed for the area. It will be great preparation for the City's September 12 public comment session on the broader One Seattle growth plan.

Last Week to Buy Tickets for The Urbanist’s Endorsed Candidate Party

The Urbanist is hosting its Endorsed Candidate Party this Sunday, August 17. Join us for an afternoon of food, drink, good company, and toasting to local urbanist wins. Get your ticket today!
Attendees fill seats in long tables at Teku Tavern two members of House Our Neighbors present to the group.

Campaign Volunteer Training Sessions Headline The Urbanist’s August Events

Join The Urbanist for a Campaign Volunteer Training Session to support our endorsed candidates. We have two dates in August: one in Seattle and one in Redmond.

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Sound Transit’s 2 Line Is Even More Popular Than We Thought

More than 300,000 riders used the 2 Line in July, a 47% increase over June. Averaging more than 10,000 daily riders, the 10-station line rivals the busiest King County Metro routes in terms of usage.
A train departing Downtown Redmond Station with the station name visible below

Downtown Redmond Drives 2 Line Growth, Becoming Eastside’s Busiest Rail Station

With monthly ridership now exceeding 200,000 on the 2 Line, Downtown Redmond Link has clearly kicked things into a higher gear. Having a light rail station so well integrated into a growing urban neighborhood is likely part of the recipe for success.

Major Eastside Bus Changes Coming With August 30 Metro Service Change

Three new all-day bus routes and one peak-only route will launch on the Eastside at the end of the month. These King County Metro changes are the latest step toward a frequent bus network on the Eastside that will be more fully implemented when Sound Transit's 2 Line crosses Lake Washington in 2026.

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Join The Urbanist and Seattle OPCD for Madison Valley Walking Tour

On September 10, The Urbanist is hosting a Madison Valley walking tour featuring staff from the Seattle Office of Planning and Community Development, who will discuss the "neighborhood center" rezone proposed for the area. It will be great preparation for the City's September 12 public comment session on the broader One Seattle growth plan.

Seattle Growth Plan Amendments Would Shrink Neighborhood Centers, Expand Density Incentives

The Seattle City Council will spend the next month considering the 106 different amendments, which would push the city's growth plan toward allowing more types of housing... or scale back areas where density increases are proposed.
A sailboat passes in front of the seating area at Gas Works with the skyline in the distance

Rinck Proposes Restoring Growth Centers Dropped from One Seattle Plan

The potential Seattle Comprehensive Plan changes, which are set to be discussed Monday, would add back growth centers around Gas Works Park, Alki, North Capitol Hill, and other areas. Councilmember Rinck also proposes legalizing corner stores and removing parking mandates citywide.

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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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