Yearly Archives: 2025
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.
Sneak Peek: New Airo Trains Coming to Amtrak Cascades in 2026
A part of a major Amtrak order in 2022, the sleek new Siemens trains will be rolling out in the Pacific Northwest ahead of other parts of the country. The new Airo trainsets come at an uncertain time for Amtrak funding.
Bus Advocates Race Route 8 to Bolster Case for Improvements
On July 10, more than 200 transit advocates raced a Route 8 bus on foot from Dexter Avenue to Stewart Street, and came out on top. They're demanding bus lanes to make the bus faster than walking.
Op-Ed: It’s Time to Ban Ratio Utility Billing
Landlords have used ratio utility billing systems as a backdoor to jack up rents. It’s time to ban the practice in Washington State.
Seattle Council Targets Nuisance Properties, Graffiti, and Safety-Themed Sales Tax Bump
Last Tuesday, the Seattle City Council voted 7-1 to pass changes to the city’s 16-year-old nuisance property ordinance that will expand the powers of the Seattle Police Department (SPD) to declare a business or residence a “chronic nuisance.” As Council ramps up criminalization and weighs funding more addiction treatment services, do their plans add up to a cohesive strategy?
Seattle Councilmembers Push to Expand District Privileges
Since the 2023 Seattle council elections, a new dynamic has been taking shape in which extra deference is given to policy decisions made by the seven district-based councilmembers within their own district. If that shift continues, it could have dramatic impacts on how projects and programs are prioritized.
Sunday Video: Best Side Cycling Tackles Seattle-to-Portland Ride on Brompton
On July 12, Cascade Bicycle Club hosted its annual Seattle-to-Portland bike ride, and local Youtuber Best Side Cycling tackled the ride in one day on a Brompton and documented the whole experience. The video is a great introduction to the 207-mile ride, which is in its 46th year.
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.







