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The idea of a fare-free pilot on several Metro routes, to be implemented in 2027, came about as fares have shrunk as a percentage of Metro's overall sources of revenue. But the data suggests that dropping fares wouldn't be as big of a boon as continuing to focus on expanding transit service.
Recent Posts
Op-Ed: Why Seattle’s Housing Future Depends on You
The Urbanist and Tech4Housing are hosting a rally and mega-canvass Sunday in Columbia City for Seattle City Council candidates Alexis Mercedes Rinck, Dionne Foster, and Eddie Lin, City Attorney candidate Erika Evans, and mayoral candidate Katie Wilson. Join us to help put the urbanist slate over the top.
Op-Ed: Seattle’s MFTE Program 7 Widens Access and Participation
One local builder lays out the case for passing the City's Multifamily Tax Exemption Program 7 proposal, which would expand access to a wider pool of renters and encourage participation in the program. The Seattle City Council is set to vote today.
Metro Plans Trolleybus Investments, with Long Implementation Timelines
After pivoting away from an aggressive schedule for battery-bus adoption, King County Metro plans to focus attention on the tried-and-true trolley network. But limited staff, delays obtaining materials and permit timelines mean that trolley expansions will be some time coming.
Sunday Video: Harrell and Wilson Square Off in KOMO Mayoral Debate
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and progressive challenger Katie Wilson have debated many times over the course of the general election, and one...
Seattle Street Ends: South Lake Union
Today, John Feit's Shoreline Street End series visits South Lake Union. In previous posts, he's explored street end park spaces all over the city, often hidden gems.
How Ballard and West Seattle Light Rail Became a $30 Billion...
Since voters approved West Seattle and Ballard Link in 2016, the two projects have been caught in a perfect storm of factors that led to the eye-popping cost estimates that we have today. While the path forward looks bleak, there are signs that Sound Transit is learning from its mistakes.
Seattle Poised to Overhaul MFTE Housing Affordability Program, Despite Tenant Concerns
The Seattle City Council is set to greenlight a new iteration of the Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) program with higher allowed rents and rent hikes. The program trades a property tax break for setting aside a quarter of the units with lower rents, but some advocates say the new rent structure is misaligned and will hurt tenants.
Op-Ed: Why Seattle’s Housing Future Depends on You
The Urbanist and Tech4Housing are hosting a rally and mega-canvass Sunday in Columbia City for Seattle City Council candidates Alexis Mercedes Rinck, Dionne Foster, and Eddie Lin, City Attorney candidate Erika Evans, and mayoral candidate Katie Wilson. Join us to help put the urbanist slate over the top.
Join Us October 11th for Bellevue City Council Mobility Forum
At the forum that The Urbanist is co-hosting on October 11, Bellevue City Council candidates will answer questions about transportation issues and how Bellevue can be a more equitable city.
Join The Urbanist for Campaign Events Ahead of the November Election
The Urbanist is focusing much of our upcoming events programming on getting our endorsed candidates elected. In the coming month, we are hosting panels, canvasses, volunteer trainings, and some social events. Join us!
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Redmond Supportive Housing Project Breaks Ground After Kenmore’s Rejection
The 100-unit housing project had been conceived in Kenmore, but was moved to Redmond after community opposition doomed its prospects. Affordable housing leaders see the way Redmond completed the hand-off as a model to be replicated elsewhere.
Sound Transit Queues Big Express Bus Network Changes after Light Rail...
The changes will impact riders throughout King, Snohomish, and Pierce Counties as Sound Transit eliminates routes where travel times are competitive with new light rail options. The agency is also planning to launch a new overnight bus network to improve regional access.
Join Us October 11th for Bellevue City Council Mobility Forum
At the forum that The Urbanist is co-hosting on October 11, Bellevue City Council candidates will answer questions about transportation issues and how Bellevue can be a more equitable city.
More Eastside Coverage posts »
Seattle Council Sets the Stage for a Potential Multiplex Boom
The Seattle City Council added a series of series of height and density bonuses for stacked flats as they amended Mayor Bruce Harrell's proposed update to the City's Comprehensive Plan in September. The bonuses could unleash the city's former single family zones to create a stacked flat multiplex boom, ranging up to 12-plexes.
School Board Directors Are Begging Seattle to Allow More Housing
A majority of the Seattle School Board joined the push for additional neighborhood growth centers last week, pointing to a link between additional housing density and stable student enrollment.
Seattle Council Punts on Housing Expansion, Tightens Tree Preservation Rules
Reductions in the size of proposed growth centers and new tree retention rules that could stifle homebuilding were among the dozens of Seattle growth plan amendments approved this week. Council rejected moves to make the plan bolder in a number of areas, fretting over the risk of legal appeals.
More One Seattle Plan posts »
An Audio Recap of The Urbanist’s ‘Future of Seattle Housing’ Panel
Want a deep dive on the latest in Seattle housing policy? The Urbanist has you covered. Check out this recording and transcript of our April housing panel with experts.
Urbanist Reporters Appear on Hacks and Wonks Podcast
The Urbanist's contributing editor Ryan Packer and reporter Amy Sundberg appeared on back-to-back episodes of the Hacks and Wonks podcast this week. Be sure...
Ryan Packer Talks Vision Zero, Traffic Safety on Hacks and Wonks...
Ryan Packer broke down local "Vision Zero" traffic safety campaigns on a recent episode of the Hacks and Wonks podcast.
More podcast episodes »