April got off to a hot start with public comment at Seattle City Hall around Phase 2 of the Comprehensive Plan, and that energy is primed to continue throughout the month. Save Ballard Rail, a grassroots group trying to preserve the Ballard extension, is hosting a march from Ballard to Interbay on April 19th.
The Urbanist is having our next monthly social hour on Thursday, April 23, with a focus on the Comprehensive Plan. Plus, we’ll be joining Eastside Urbanism for their regular social on April 30.
Also this month, Transportation Choices Coalition is hosting two townhalls, one in Everett and one in Tacoma, focused on light rail expansions plans and overcoming the financial headwinds facing them. They will be a great chance to hear from Sound Transit boardmembers and staff and ask questions.
Looking ahead to early May, The Urbanist is hosting a Redmond walking tour led by Redmond Mayor Angela Birney. Space is limited, so RSVP to save your spot!
April 23rd Seattle Urbanist Social
- What: A monthly social gathering of urbanists from across Seattle. Meet like-minded people, hear about how to get more involved in organizing locally, and talk about the latest urbanist news.
- Where: TeKu Tavern, 552 Denny Way, Seattle, WA 98109
- When: 6 pm – 8 pm, Thursday, April 23rd.
- 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.
April 30th Seattle Urbanists Join Eastside Urbanism for a Happy Hour
- What: With the opening of the 2 Line making it easy to get across the lake and along the light rail corridor, The Urbanist is joining Eastside Urbanism for one of their weekly socials on April 30th.
- Where: Jack Sprat Cafe, 2808 Calder Ave NE, NE Turing St, Redmond, WA 98052
- When: 6 pm – 8 pm, Thursday, April 30th.
- Transit Stops: 2 Line (Overlake Station), B Line, 221, 245, 542, 545 (not an exhaustive list)
May 9th Redmond Walking Tour with Mayor Angela Birney
- What: A walking tour of the Overlake Village and Downtown neighborhoods of Redmond, led by Redmond Mayor Angela Birney and Redmond city planning staff. We will begin at the Overlake Station and end Downtown, where attendees are welcome to disperse or gather for lunch. Orca cards are required to pay for taking the Link Line 2.Space is limited, so RSVP soon if you intend to attend.
- Where: Overlake Village Station
- When: 11 am – 1 pm, Saturday , May 9th.
- Transit Stops: 2 Line (Overlake Station), B Line, 221, 245, 542, 545 (not an exhaustive list)
- RSVP: RSVP here.
Other Community Events
April 14th Snohomish County Transit Town Hall: The Future of Light Rail
- What: Transportation Choices Coalition is hosting a town hall on Sound Transit's light rail extension to Everett and the agency's budget crisis as a whole and options on the table to address it. The Q&A panel includes Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers, Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin, and Lynnwood City Councilmember David Parshall. The event will be a hybrid town hall with a brief presentation from Sound Transit, a structured Q&A, and then an open Q&A. The event is organized in partnership with Snotrac, and the conversation will be moderated by Snotrac Executive Director, Brock Howell.
- Where: Weyerhaeuser Room, Everett Station, 3201 Smith Avenue (4th Floor) Everett, WA 98201
- When: 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm, Tuesday, April 14th.
- RSVP: RSVP here.
April 19th Save Ballard Rail March
- What: Save Ballard Rail, a grassroots organization, is marching from Ballard to Interbay in support of the Ballard Extension. Show your support by joining them for a four-mile hike, and bring good walking shoes!
- Where: Gemenskap Park, 5910 14th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107
- When: 1:00 pm, Sunday, April 19th.
- RSVP: RSVP here.
April 27th Pierce County Transit Town Hall: The Future of Light Rail
- What: Transportation Choices Coalition is hosting a Tacoma town hall to dive into Sound Transit's Pierce County expansion plans, including Tacoma Dome light rail, Sounder commuter rail, and the T Line streetcar. Come learn what is on the table and ask questions. The panel includes two Sound Transit boardmembers – Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello and Tacoma City Councilmember Kristina Walker – and Sound Transit staff. The event will be a hybrid town hall with a brief presentation from Sound Transit on the Enterprise Initiative, a structured Q&A and then an open Q&A. The event is organized in partnership with Tacoma on the Go and the conversation will be moderated by Tacoma On the Go Executive Director Laura Svancarek.
- Where: MLG 110, UW Tacoma, 1950 S C St, Tacoma, WA 98402
- When: 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm, Monday, April 27th.
- RSVP: RSVP here.
