Construction

An aerial view of a six-story light blue building with a central court and the light rail line just to the west.

Affordable Housing Expands in Seattle, Especially in the Rainier Valley

A handful of new affordable housing complexes in the Central District and South End are providing some welcome relief to apartment-seekers amidst a housing affordability crunch. Leaders from Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) and SouthEast Effective Development (SEED) shared what's in store.
The immediate station area of BelRed station

East Link TOD: BelRed’s Scattered Development Could Preface Bigger Housing Boom

Near Bel-Red Station, more than 3,500 new homes have been built or permitted since 2017. However, development has been patchy due to uneven zoning.

Route 40 Bus Lane Installation Starts, Aiding Riders During I-5 Work

The targeted upgrades intended to speed up buses and increase reliability have been in the works since 2021, and come just in time to aid riders during upcoming I-5 closures. They have faced considerable opposition from business groups along Route 40.
A view of a mountain in the distance behind a suburban neighborhood

Seattle’s Geologic Hazards Can Be Overwhelming, But Preparation Can Start Now 

“Seismic” buttons in Seattle’s elevators hide ubiquitously in plain sight. When I was new to the city last year, these buttons were a reminder...

Sound Transit’s U District Development Site Should Be an Affordable Tower

Last week, Sound Transit released a survey on the U District Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). The parcel at 1000 NE 45th Street is in question,...

Sunday Video: Wooden Skyscrapers Could Be the Future for Citites

https://youtu.be/2DPp2NcnTb0 In this video, The Economist explores the growing popularity of cross-laminated timber and its positive aspects as a building material.

Redmond Sees New Neighborhood Burgeon Around Marymoor Park as Light Rail Arrives

The 2017 Marymoor Village growth center has led to a number of larger multifamily developments in the area around Marymoor Park in Southeast Redmond. This weekend, light rail finally arrives.
Trench cut in dirt with an intersection of iron pipes and a lightly colored stormwater crossing.

The Urbanist Podcast: How to Crush a Housing Project the Seattle Way

In this episode, civil engineer and Urbanist contributing writer Donna Breske discusses her experience with the frustrating hurdles posed by the permitting process in Seattle with...