Yearly Archives: 2025

Stoked for ‘Hot Bike Summer’? Thank a Former Mayor and Council

Five major bike safety projects are all opening within a few months of each other, filling in critical gaps in Seattle's network. But most of the credit for ensuring that Hot Bike Summer happened in the first place goes to previous city leaders.

Op-Ed: Creating a City for Our Kids

Seattle is a “you are on your own” city rather than one cares for vulnerable residents, especially our youngest kids. John Burbank lays out how to change that with investments in infant and child care.
A crossword puzzle with The Urbanist written in for one of the answers.

Quiz Your Knowledge with The Urbanist Crossword Puzzle for August 10

Take the ninth installment of The Urbanist's crossword series, which runs every two weeks. If you love to take a contemplative moment with a brain-teasing puzzle, but you’re tired of nationally syndicated crosswords with no local flair or stance on high-capacity transit, you’re right where you need to be.
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.
An aerial shot of North Tacoma neighborhoods with Mount Rainier and the Tacoma Dome in the distance.

Op-Ed: Students Advocate for Carpooling Incentives at High School Parking Lots

Only three of 15 high schools analyzed in King County have carpooling incentives: Issaquah, Redmond, and Interlake high schools. Expanding carpooling incentives would allow schools to encourage greener commutes while getting more utility out of limited parking spaces.

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.

Progressives Win Seattle Primaries, Data Points Them as Favorites in General

After losing three consecutive mayoral races and six of nine Council seats in two years, Seattle progressives sealed their best Primary election in over a decade. Across the board, Seattle progressives head into November as favorites.

Downtown Mass-Timber Tower Project Meets Resistance at Seattle Landmark Board

Clark/Barnes architects want to transform a landmarked office building at Second Avenue and Pine Street into housing, adding 12 additional stories of mass timber construction to accommodate more homes. The innovative project is meeting significant opposition from nearby residents and historic preservation advocates.