A picture of a person on a scooter and e-bike riding past a car with the caption 'tired of waiting in traffic? Lime will get you there.'

Civics and Culture

Folks walk the beach as the Washington State ferry comes in. Cars wait on the dock.

Policy Lab: We Want Bread, and Paid Vacation Too!

Most advanced nations mandate at least 20 working days of paid vacation per year, but not the United States. Here's why we should change that.
Seven CARE members wear logoed blue short sleeve shirts that are their official garb. These pose of the step of Seattle City Hall.

Seattle’s Dual Dispatch Civilian Crisis Responder Program Expands, Despite Obstacles

Seattle's civilian safety department will quadruple in size by hiring 18 additional responders and 3 supervisors. For now, the CARE department is handling a tiny fraction of 911 calls, but that could change in time.

Climate Commitment Act Repeal Imperils Port’s Pollution Reduction Efforts

Electrifying port infrastructure and traffic is already slow-moving at the expense of nearby communities, and in the absence of clean energy regulation for ports in Washington, these projects heavily rely on funding from the contested Climate Commitment Act. 
A large shelter provides rain protection over the stage alongside picnic table and playground equipment and a lawn with a row of trees in the background.

Seattle Launches Next Phase of Be’er Sheva Park Renovations

Since its April grand opening, the renovated Be'er Sheva Park features a new community stage, artworks, a restored shoreline, picnic tables, and benches, with a second phase of improvements in planning. The park hosts a weekly Chocolate Sunday celebration of Black culture.

Op-Ed: Ban Bus Wraps and Spare Riders the Barrage of Advertisements

You don’t have to detest all advertising or be a wild-eyed radical to agree that windows are for seeing through. Metro should discontinue bus wraps that obscure windows.

Op-Ed: Monuments Teach Important Historical Lessons… If We Don’t Hide Them Away

Monuments can help cities tell their history and forge a culture. But to do a good job of it requires telling the whole story of the region, not just elites and colonizers. And the monuments need to be front and center.
The spring district light rail station with public art

An Urbanist Guide to Things To Do in Bellevue’s BelRed

BelRed combines a nascent South Lake Union, SoDo, and the International District. Spring District Station has a South Lake Union feel with tech offices emerging from a large light industrial presence. Both have some hidden gems.

Sunday Video: What Is The ‘Correct’ Speed Limit?

Jason Slaughter of Not Just Bikes dives into why lower speeds limits are good society and what the best speed limits are for cities....