Construction

Highrises Spread into UW Campus – U District Development Spree Part 3

With highrises emerging from the University District, neighboring University of Washington (UW) is also preparing to join in on the developing skyline. Of the...

Shoreline North Station Sees New Urban Connection Form

Within a mile of Shoreline North Station, about 1,700 homes have been built or planned since 2019. While the development pipeline is petering out, the City could jumpstart it once more with zoning changes and action to redevelop public land.

Op-Ed: Excessive Water Hook-up Fees Stunt Seattle’s ADU Building Boom

Seattle Public Utilities is using “No Tap” water mains to extort homebuilders for system upgrades. The gauntlet created by Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) for access...
Wallingford Community Council proposed 2017 Comprehensive Plan amendment to remove more than 50 blocks and only park from the urban village. (City of Seattle)

Urban Village Boundary Contractions? No Thanks.

In my Sightline piece from May, I described how homeowners in Wallingford have worked for decades to block housing via downzones, increasing development burdens, and...
NE Juanita Dr and its unprotected pedestrian path

Navigating Kirkland’s Pedestrian Nightmare — And Paradise

Whenever I write an article or series that charts the development of cities and neighborhoods in the Puget Sound, I always make an effort...

Stone Way Building Boom Continues at Edge of Fremont and Wallingford

The transformation of Stone Way, the arterial street delineating the official border between Fremont and Wallingford, continues with another spate of projects. One of...

Builders Continue Pivot to Housing in Downtown Bellevue

In shift away from office and toward housing growth, Downtown Bellevue's development pipeline has seen nearly 4,000 additional homes proposed and more than two million square feet of office space abandoned in just the last couple of years. Once built, the pipeline of 14,000 homes would more than double the population of downtown.
Torgelson wears glasses, a blue checkered tie and a dark suit.

Harrell Sacks Seattle Construction Director as Clock Ticks on Permitting Reform

Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections Director Nathan Torgelson announced his resignation in an email to staff today. Torgelson and Mayor Bruce Harrell said the decision was mutual and pledged a smooth transition. Much work is on the department's plate in coming months.