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Features

Seattle Council Punts on Housing Expansion, Tightens Tree Preservation Rules

Reductions in the size of proposed growth centers and new tree retention rules that could stifle homebuilding were among the dozens of Seattle growth plan amendments approved this week. Council rejected moves to make the plan bolder in a number of areas, fretting over the risk of legal appeals.

Sound Transit Outlines Promising Everett Link Cost Reductions, Bleaker Seattle News

Costs are going up on all Sound Transit 3 projects, with West Seattle Link now expected to cost up to $7.9 billion, Everett Link $7.7 billion, and Ballard Link more than $20 billion. Sound Transit has been able to identify cost-saving opportunities in Everett, but Seattle is in a tough position.

Sound Transit Plans Major Program Reset Tackling 30- to 40-Billion-Dollar Shortfall

Work to close the 20-25% funding gap announced Thursday will likely have far-reaching implications on everything from system expansion projects to how Sound Transit delivers current service. The coming months will likely see assumptions long thought settled back on the table.

Federal Way Light Rail Extension to Open December 6

Federal Way Link will open on December 6, ahead of the previous plan for an early 2026 opening, Sound Transit announced today.

Sound Transit’s 2 Line Is Even More Popular Than We Thought

More than 300,000 riders used the 2 Line in July, a 47% increase over June. Averaging more than 10,000 daily riders, the 10-station line rivals the busiest King County Metro routes in terms of usage.
Wilson stands in front of a lectern with her yellow campaign sign with rainbow streamers behind her.

Katie Wilson Leads Bruce Harrell in Early Primary Election Results

Urbanist-endorsed progressive challenger Katie Wilson is off to a fast start in her bid to unseat Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, leading by nearly 1,300 votes on primary election night. Urbanist-endorsed Seattle City Council candidates Dionne Foster, Alexis Mercedes, and Eddie Lin have also taken commanding leads.

Seattle Growth Plan Amendments Would Shrink Neighborhood Centers, Expand Density Incentives

The Seattle City Council will spend the next month considering the 106 different amendments, which would push the city's growth plan toward allowing more types of housing... or scale back areas where density increases are proposed.
Pictured right to left, Wilson is a white woman with her hair pulled back. Balducci is a white woman with gray hair and her glasses on her head. Foster is a black woman in a gray blazer.

2025 Primary Election Endorsements

The Urbanist Elections Committee is excited to announce our 2025 primary election endorsements, which span the region from Tacoma to Everett. Be sure to vote by August 5.