The Urbanist newsroom discusses April headlines, like Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson expanding Bicycle Weekends, 300 transit advocates marching to save Ballard light rail from the chopping block, and pushback against a Capitol Hill crisis case center.
While on Sound Transit's chopping block, the Ballard and Interbay neighborhoods made it clear at a 300-strong rally and four-mile march Sunday they are not going down without a fight. Advocates wants to see all light rail projects promised in ST3 built.
At an April 14 rally in Everett, Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers and Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin repeatedly stressed that finishing the light rail "spine" to Everett and Tacoma would be their top priority, while backing a plan to defer getting to Ballard.
By popular demand, Ray Delahanty of CityNerd released a top 12 urban highways that should be slated for removal to improve the cities that surround them. Seattle made the list.
A group of builders is urging Seattle to reduce Mandatory Housing Affordability fees for three years with the aim of kickstarting a sputtering homebuilding industry. They say 125 stalled projects encompassing 12,000 units could be resurrected.
Amtrak's $300 million expansion of its SoDo trainyard hit the 50% complete mark this month and is on budget and on track to open in 2027. Officials welcomed local media for a tour of the facility on Thursday.
At a rally Monday, Seattle housing advocates pushed for broader corridor upzones within a 10-minute walk of frequent transit, enlisting a powerful supporter to their side in Mayor Katie Wilson. Wilson has already pledged a "taller, denser, faster" housing plan.
Transit advocates shared ideas to save Ballard Link light rail from being cut or severely delayed at a rally Saturday. A ballooning budget has Sound Transit considering drastic measures, but advocates see a path forward to get to Market Street.
Transit youtuber Thom from Trains Are Awesome did a video on Sound Transit's big 2 Line crosslake connection opening, touching on the history and technology that made it possible.
The Urbanist newsroom discusses the big opening day for Sound Transit's crosslake 2 Line, how we got here, and what it means for the future of light rail expansion in the Seattle region.