Legislation Targeting Ground-Floor Storefronts Gets Overhauled in House
After concerns were raised by city officials around removing flexibility to create vibrant and walkable neighborhoods, the version approved by the House local government committee sets a 40% cap on mixed-use zones where ground-floor retail spaces can be required.
Urbanist Podcast: Social Housing and Wilson’s Four Pillars of Affordability
In this podcast episode, The Urbanist's newsroom dive into recent headlines including Katie Wilson's State of the City speech, which bills are moving and which are dying at the Washington State Legislation, and the Seattle Social Housing Developer's latest moves.
Seattle Library Workers Raise Alarm About Security Crackdown Hitting Homeless People
Some library staff say that a new enforcement crackdown led by the Seattle Public Library’s new head of security is turning librarians into part-time cops, and they’re not happy about it. Justin Ward dives into how we ended up here.
Seattle Social Housing Staffs Up, Nets $115 Million
The Seattle Social Housing Developer smashed projections and pulled in more than double the amount expected from a recently voter-approved "excess compensation tax." Social housing advocates' priority bill at the state legislature is also making significant progress.
Wilson Sketches Affordability Agenda in State of City Speech
On Tuesday, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson pledged to attack affordability on four different fronts: housing, childcare, food, and small business opportunities. It was her first State of the City speech since taking office seven weeks ago.
Washington’s Elevator Reform Bill Rises Again
The 41-7 vote in the Washington State Senate advances a proposal that would allow builders more flexibility to install smaller elevators in smaller apartment buildings, a small step toward bringing U.S. elevator costs more in line with the rest of the world.
Bellevue Adds Hurdles to Old Main Redevelopment to Preserve ‘Cultural Value’
The new regulations, which will stay in place for at least six months, require either façade preservation for older buildings or new façades that match them. Though the goal is to maintain Main Street's pedestrian friendly atmosphere, little remains in place to prevent small business displacement from Old Bellevue.
Supportive Housing Building Opens Near Seattle’s Woodland Park
DESC opened 95 supportive housing units last week in Upper Fremont. Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson attended the ribbon-cutting celebration, noting the positive step toward addressing the homelessness crisis, but Trump cuts could slow the pace of similar project openings.