Features

A group of young people stand by the railing at Kerry Point with the Space Needle and downtown skyscrapers looming in the distance.

Seattle’s Population Blows Past 800,000 in Latest State Estimates

Seattle has officially surpassed the 800,000 population mark, setting a record high of 816,600 residents in new state estimates released Friday. That marks the fifth year in a row that the Emerald City's growth rate has exceeded 2%, making Seattle one of the fastest-growing cities in the country.

Emergency 1-Line Rail Repairs to Halt Downtown Service on Busy Weekend

All 1 Line stations in Downtown Seattle will be closed Saturday June 21 to Sunday June 22, after Sound Transit discovered a section of rail in need of replacement near Westlake. The agency plans to run shuttle buses to bridge the gap every 30-60 minutes. Alternate transit routes may best serve riders.

Sound Transit Picks New Preferred Light Rail Route to Tacoma Dome

After navigating through a number of major issues that added years of delay, the Sound Transit board is poised to adopt a new preferred alternative for Tacoma Dome Link. The project isn't slated to reach full design until 2027 and to open until 2035.
A 2 Line train at Downtown Bellevue Station on a sunny day

Rivera Proposal Would Slow Down Seattle Light Rail Permitting

Councilmember Maritza Rivera's last-minute proposal would require additional public outreach and documentation for light rail permit applications. The underlying bill had been intended to cut red rape. After pushback from Councilmembers Rinck and Strauss, the vote was delayed a week.
A large home in North Capitol Hill with a sloping front lawn

Seattle Just Rezoned Entire City — That Was the Easy Part

To meet a state deadline, the Seattle City Council legalized fourplexes or sixplexes across the entire city via the adoption of an interim code Tuesday. The move is just a prelude to a bigger fight over urban density, as Council advances Mayor Bruce Harrell's broader growth plan.

Governor Signs Washington’s First-in-the-Nation Shared Streets Law

Cities in Washington will have the legal authority to create shared streets, which feature much lower speed limits and put pedestrians first, under Senate Bill 5595. Governor Bob Ferguson signed the bill into law Saturday. It will go into effect on July 27.

Everything You Need to Know About Downtown Redmond Link

Light rail finally arrives in Downtown Redmond Saturday, the culmination of years of work by Eastside leaders to bring high-capacity transit to this growth hub.

Rent Stabilization Makes It Across the Finish Line at Last Minute

The Washington State Legislature approved a 7% to 10% cap on rent hikes Sunday, after the proposal faced a rollercoaster of obstacles over the course of the 105-day session.