Yearly Archives: 2025

Juarez speaks at a podium with a hockey jersey with the City Seal in the background.

Seattle Council Poised to Appoint Debora Juarez to Vacant D5 Seat

Former Seattle City Councilmember Debora Juarez is one of six finalists to fill the District 5 vacancy on Council created by Cathy Moore's resignation. Insiders say she is the clear favorite for the appointment.

Meet The Urbanist’s Endorsed Candidates at Our August 17th Party

Tickets are limited. Get yours now to meet our newly announced endorsed candidates at our summer garden party. Mingle with urbanists from across the region and prepare for the election fight ahead.

Property Acquisition Snags Threaten to Delay RapidRide I Line Construction

A few months before construction on RapidRide I Line between Renton and Auburn was set to begin, King County has still not been able to acquire portions of 25 properties needed for the bus project. Now it's considering a measure of last resort: condemnation.

Seattle Inspector General Violating Disclosure Laws by Altering, Withholding Records

Advocates warn Seattle Inspector General Lisa Judge is jeopardizing public trust in the city’s police accountability system, as her office obscures records. The office also withheld what appears to be important evidence in a high-profile case involving former SPD chief Adrian Diaz.
The six panelists sit at a table with the Urbanist U logo on it and Ryna Packer is off to the side moderating.

Urbanism on the Eastside Panel Hints at Suburban Sea Change

At The Urbanist's “Urbanism on the Eastside” panel earlier this month, panelists discussed a sea change happening in the suburbs that are beginning to urbanize and break free of car dependence. Check out this recap of the discussion.
A six story apartment building in Sammamish next to a roundabout

Sammamish Council Pursues Denser Town Center Vision Amid Backlash

Sammamish will study increasing the upper limit on housing in its Town Center to 4,000 units, after nearly two decades of anemic growth under a previous growth framework. The 6-1 vote came after a significant amount of community opposition and misinformation.
Pictured right to left, Wilson is a white woman with her hair pulled back. Balducci is a white woman with gray hair and her glasses on her head. Foster is a black woman in a gray blazer.

2025 Primary Election Endorsements

The Urbanist Elections Committee is excited to announce our 2025 primary election endorsements, which span the region from Tacoma to Everett. Be sure to vote by August 5.

Op-Ed: The War Over Tacoma’s Planting Strips

How the City of Tacoma uses planting strips along its streets tells a tale of haves and have-nots, and of our differing standards. The City has gone out of its way to exclude homeless people from this space with $163,000 worth of boulders.