Yearly Archives: 2025

Dow Constantine at a podium

Sound Transit CEO Preps Agency-wide Realignment to Keep Expansion on Track

Sound Transit's newly announced "enterprise initiative" is needed to respond to financial pressures expected to impact system expansion plans. But the work is expected to be broader than past financial restructures, where project delay was the most noticeable outcome.
Police hold nightsticks in full riot gear behind a metal fence as protesters march by.

Op-Ed: Seattle Police Officers Guild is the Problem

The Seattle Police Officers Guild has continually sabotaged reform after reform. We can no longer allow SPOG leadership to remain an obstacle to accountable, constitutional policing. Seattle City Attorney candidate Nathan Rouse lays out what the office can do to help.
A crossword puzzle with The Urbanist written in for one of the answers.

Test Your Wits with The Urbanist Crossword Puzzle for June 1

Take the fourth 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.

Op-Ed: Democrats Acted Irresponsibly, Failed to Trump-Proof Washington State in 2025...

Governor Bob Ferguson blocked efforts to tax the rich, pushing Democrats to implement austerity cuts that included raising the cost of child care and cutting early learning. A weakened social safety net makes the state less prepared to weather further Trump chaos.

Op-Ed: Seattle Council’s Ethics Overhaul Would Be Neither Ethical nor Democratic

Seattle Councilmember Cathy Moore announced Friday that she is withdrawing her proposal weakening the City’s ethics rules, pledging to fine-tune the idea and bring it back. Collin Thrower lays out why she is on the wrong track.
A 2 Line train at Downtown Bellevue Station on a sunny day

Rivera Proposal Would Slow Down Seattle Light Rail Permitting

Councilmember Maritza Rivera's last-minute proposal would require additional public outreach and documentation for light rail permit applications. The underlying bill had been intended to cut red rape. After pushback from Councilmembers Rinck and Strauss, the vote was delayed a week.
Fort Lawton include patchy grass and drab concrete low slung buildings and garages that used to serve the military installation.

Fort Lawton Housing Project Faces a Make-or-Break Moment

The idea of building affordable housing at Magnolia's former Army base has been in the works for two decades. With a key comment deadline passing this month, it's finally set to advance, but several major hurdles loom over the coming months.
The view from the Mount Baker pedestrian bridge with the Franklin football field at the corner of MLK Way and Rainier Avenue.

Harrell Quietly Pushing Police in Schools, with Possible Levy Funding Infusion

Mayor Bruce Harrell’s $1.3 billion education levy is set to go to the ballot in November, but it could be weighed down by a controversial proposal to put police officers back in Seattle schools. Meanwhile, Harrell’s draft school safety plan has stalled out, which is drawing criticism from school board leaders that the City’s approach is ill-defined.