Op-Ed: UW’s Union Bay Hypocrisy: Public Land, Private Fence
The Union Bay Natual Area is 74 acres of public open space with miles of trails, but the University of Washington has rebuffed advocates pushing to remove a fence and add a trail to improve access. Here's why they should reconsider.
King County Metro Delays Planned Electrification Work, Pushing Out Fiscal Cliff
Pivoting away from full-scale bus base retrofits that go all-in on battery electric buses means that Metro won't face a fiscal cliff until the early 2030s, according to budget writers. Metro's General Manager also framed the move as one that helps to preserve core bus services.
Seattle Narrows Down Options for Initial ‘Low Pollution Neighborhoods’
The Seattle Department of Transportation is eyeing seven neighborhoods with high rates of pollution, low car ownership rates, and high collision intersections, such as South Park, Lake City, and Capitol Hill, for its low-pollution pilot program. The list will ultimately be whittled down to three program sites.
Seattle Social Housing Developer Strives for High Sustainability and Affordability Standards
With a mandate to design its buildings for an ambitious green housing standard called “Passive House” while maintaining affordability, Seattle's newly funded social housing authority has an important point to prove.
Why Shoreline’s Vote to Erase Parking Mandates Is a Big Deal
Parking reform has become a national movement, aimed at reducing housing costs. With a nudge from state law, Shoreline joins the trend to support urban development and a shift toward greener transportation options.
Sound Transit Breaks Ground on Stride Electric Bus Base in Bothell
This week, Sound Transit broke ground on a $274 million base in Bothell vital to the region's Stride bus rapid transit plans. The base will support battery electric buses for the S1, S2, and S3 lines, which together compose 45 miles of service spanning from Lynnwood to Burien.
Downtown Mass-Timber Tower Project Meets Resistance at Seattle Landmark Board
Clark/Barnes architects want to transform a landmarked office building at Second Avenue and Pine Street into housing, adding 12 additional stories of mass timber construction to accommodate more homes. The innovative project is meeting significant opposition from nearby residents and historic preservation advocates.
Final State Budget Puts Highway Expansion Ahead of Basic Maintenance
More than one-third of WSDOT's two-year budget is set to go toward highway widenings and extensions, in the face of a significant maintenance backlog impacting Washington's state and local roads.