City Reflects on Seattle’s Affordable Housing Progress in 2019

Our city is facing a housing crisis. Before the onset of the pandemic, when the economy was humming and jobs were bountiful, we had...

Seattle OKs New Growth Plan, but Biggest Zoning Battles Lie Ahead

The adoption of the Seattle Comprehensive Plan, nearly one year late under a state-imposed deadline, is setting up much bigger debate over where additional housing density will be allowed in the city. Those issues, set to be discussed in 2026, include adding neighborhood centers and upzones along transit corridors.
Peter Kirk Park with Kirkland Urban and construction in the background

Downtown and Rose Hill: Kirkland’s Corridor of Dense New Development

After Totem Lake, a neighborhood that is experiencing a spree of significant growth, the next notable constellation of new commercial and residential development in...

Jerusalem Demsas on How Housing Became a Crisis

The Urbanist interviewed the author of a new book called "On the Housing Crisis," which delves into exclusionary land use and the political dysfunction keeping it in place.
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.

Prime Seattle Center Site May Become Warehouse As It Awaits City’s Vision

Most frequently used by high school sports participants, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation employees, and Seattle Opera goers, the northeast corner of Seattle Center...

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.

It’s Time to End Public Subsidies for Private Golf Courses

With about one year’s worth of Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) funds we could use eminent domain to secure the private and exclusive Broadmoor and...