The Urbanist’s June events will once again focus on housing advocacy. June 23rd is our last chance to make our voices heard on the Seattle Comprehensive Plan before summer recess. On July 6th, were holding a forum in Bellevue with leading housing voices and candidates on the Eastside.
The Seattle City Council is hosting public comment once more on the first phase of Seattle’s growth plan. After all the neighborhood lawsuits, appeals, and interim legislation, we are now discussing the plan itself. We need to make a strong impression on council. If you aren’t sure how to give public comment, join the Complete Communities Coalition for a happy hour in June, where organizers will help prepare you to give testimony to city council.
The Urbanist is putting on an “Urbanism on the Eastside” panel on Sunday, July 6th, where we’ll gather candidates and elected officials from Woodinville to Newcastle and every city in between to talk about the state of urbanism on the Eastside. Get your tickets soon to save your spot and submit your suggested questions to guide over conversation.
Our panelists will include Bellevue City Council Candidate Naren Briar, Bothell Mayor Mason Thompson, Kirkland Council Candidate Kurt Dresner, Newcastle Councilmember Paul Charbonneau, Redmond Councilmember Melissa Stuart, and Woodinville Councilmember Michelle Evans. Urbanist contributing editor Ryan Packer will moderate the panel.
Thank you to everyone who came to the Seattle Candidate Forum on June 4th! The Urbanist joined other transportation and housing groups to put on the event, where we heard from candidates for all open Seattle City Council positions, as well as the mayoral race. For a full breakdown, see our recording and publisher Doug Trumm’s write-up here.
June 17th CCC Social and Public Comment Training
- What: A social gathering with urbanists, housing advocates, and other comprehensive plan advocates with an emphasis on preparing for the upcoming public comment session on the Seattle city council.
- Where: TeKu Tavern, 552 Denny Way, Seattle, WA 98109
- When: 6pm – 8pm, Tuesday June 17th
- Transit Stops: Near stops for the South Lake Union Streetcar, Route 4, 5, 8, 28, 62 or the E Line (not an exhaustive list).
- RSVP: RSVP Here
June 23rd Public Comment for the Seattle Comprehensive Plan
- What: The final chance to give public comment on Seattle’s comp plan before summer recess. We need to make our voices heard if we want a growth-friendly comp plan.
- Where: Seattle City Hall, 600 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
- When: 9:30 AM for virtual comment, 4 PM for in-person comment.
- Transit Stops: Near stops for routes 3, 4, 7, 14, 27, 62, the E line, Line 1 (Pioneer Square Station), and any other routes that stop downtown or in Pioneer Square.
- RSVP: RSVP Here
June 26th Social with Eastside Urbanism, Move Redmond, and The Urbanist
A social gathering with Eastside Urbanism and Move Redmond, both local groups of urbanists making their voices heard on the eastside. Meet fellow transit advocates, policy nerds, and urbanists.
- What: A social gathering with Eastside Urbanism and Move Redmond,both local groups of urbanists making their voices heard on the Eastside. Meet fellow transit advocates, policy nerds, and urbanists.
- Where: Jack Sprat Cafe at Verde Esterra Park in Redmond.
- When: June 26th from 6PM-8PM.
- Transit Stops: 2 Line (Overlake Station), B Line, 221, 245, 542, 545 (not an exhaustive list)
- RSVP: RSVP Here
July 6th Future of Urbanism on the Eastside Panel
- What: A panel hosted by The Urbanist focused on the future of Eastside transportation, housing, and growth plans. Panelists include councilmembers and candidates for council from every city between Newcastle and Woodinville. Urbanist contributing editor Ryan Packer will moderate the panel. Our panelists include Bellevue City Council Candidate Naren Briar, Bothell Mayor Mason Thompson, Kirkland Council Candidate Kurt Dresner, Newcastle Councilmember Paul Charbonneau, Redmond Councilmember Melissa Stuart, and Woodinville Councilmember Michelle Evans.
- Where: Highland Community Center, 14224 NE Bel Red Rd, Bellevue, WA 98007
- When: July 6th 4 PM – 6 PM,
- Transit Stops: 2 Line (Bel-Red Station, walking required), Routes 226, 249, and Rapid Ride B.
- RSVP: RSVP here. Tickets are free, but a $5 donation to help cover the cost of the venue is appreciated.
- Submit your questions: Question form.
- Learn more: If you’re interested in attending but don’t have any questions in mind, consider reading up on recent Eastside news, such as Bellevue City Council members waffling on how much housing density to add, a retrospective on Redmond’s recent growth, Woodinville’s debate over mandatory affordable housing, or Newcastle’s council adding environmental and equity language to their growth plan despite the mayor’s objections.
Partner events
There are also a couple of events hosted by local Urbanist groups to get involved with!
June 21st Let’s Walk Shoreline (Urbanist Shoreline)
Join Urbanist Shoreline for a walk across Shoreline, from shoreline to shoreline!
Exact route is TBD but we will probably be walking around 8 miles. We will take our time, stopping to look different pedestrian infrastructure and other sites of interest. You are welcome to meet us along the way. Beach picnic at the end!
This will be a long walk but is not meant to be a major athletic event – the pace will be leisurely and all are welcome!
- What: A walking tour of Shoreline from one shore to the other.
- Where: Lyon Creek Waterfront Preserve, 17337 Beach Dr NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
- When: June 21st, 10 AM – 3 PM
- RSVP: RSVP Here
Diego Batres
Diego is the Director of Development and Events of The Urbanist. He believes in making Seattle and the Puget Sound region a model example of good urban living for the rest of the country by expanding transit, ending our housing crisis, pedestrianizing our neighborhoods. He graduated from Seattle University in 2023, and currently lives in Seattle’s Central District.