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In response to state law, Mercer Island is poised to upzone some of the blocks closest to transit. But new affordability mandates may negate the move.
Recent Posts
Overlook Walk Finally Opens as the New Seattle Waterfront’s Centerpiece
The new pedestrian connection, park, and gathering space all in one was envisioned as a key component of Seattle's new waterfront since work started on the project over a decade ago.
Transportation Chair Saka Questions School Zone Camera Expansion Plan
A plan to expand the number of school zone speed cameras has been in the works for nearly two years. But Councilmember Rob Saka is raising questions about the idea and funds allocated to make it happen.
Week Without Driving Challenge Expands to 50 States from Seattle Launchpad
In four years, the Week Without Driving Challenge has grown from a small event with a dozen elected leaders in the Puget Sound area to a national event with participants in all 50 states. Founder Anna Zivarts shares her thoughts on that journey.
Op-Ed: Presidential Election Hinges on Housing, Conceptions of the American Dream
Addressing our national housing crisis will require a drastic shift in how we think about housing in our society: it needs to become a basic human right — something we are all entitled to and therefore something our government works to deliver.
Sound Transit Board Forges Ahead on West Seattle Link Despite Cost...
Despite significantly increased costs, the Sound Transit board is full steam ahead on advancing West Seattle Link to full design. What could that mean for the entire Sound Transit 3 plan?
Op-Ed: Recognizing Nondrivers Can Spur a Revolution in Transportation and Housing
Nondrivers are more than a quarter of the population, but often an afterthought in policy discussions. Recognizing their needs, as the national Week Without Driving challenge strives to promote, can help improve outcomes for everyone.
Urbanism 101: Zoning’s History and Role in the Housing Crisis
Originally hatched as a subtler method to promote racial segregation, zoning ended up planting the seeds of our present day housing crisis. This Zoning 101 guide delves into how that history unfolded.
Join for The Urbanist’s RapidRide G Line Opening Celebration
The Urbanist is hosting an opening day celebration for the RapidRide G Line, which commences service early Saturday morning. Our event is from 5:00pm to 7:30pm at Stoup Capitol Hill.
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.
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Mercer Island Plans to Densify Town Center… With a Big Catch
In response to state law, Mercer Island is poised to upzone some of the blocks closest to transit. But new affordability mandates may negate the move.
Op-Ed: Bellevue Can Lead the Region on Street Safety
Bellevue is positioned to lead on traffic safety so long as it makes investments in safer roads. This fall's budget is a great time to start.
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.
More Eastside Coverage posts »
Seattle’s Growth Plan Keeps Most of the City Unaffordable, County Committee...
Seattle's 20-year growth plan doesn't do enough to ensure that lower income residents will be able to access the vast majority of the city's residential neighborhoods, according to King County's Affordable Housing Committee.
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.
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.
More podcast episodes »