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Land Use

An aerial photo of a boulevard with port cranes and Elliott Bay in the distance.

Planners Proposed Bigger Upzones Before Harrell’s Team Intervened, Records Show

A paper trail from fall 2023 shows that Mayor Harrell's office overruled his planning department and cut transit corridor upzones and halved the number of proposed "neighborhood centers" before release of the growth strategy.

Sunday Video: Convention Center Madness

Like yours truly, Ray Delahanty of CityNerd is at this year's National Planning Conference in Minneapolis. And like yours truly, Delahanty is spending a...
A small crane move materials to the top of a three story townhome complex where a construction work receives them.

Franz: Mobilize Washington State-Owned Land to Tackle Housing Affordability Crisis

“All Lands, All Hands, All Together” effort could make a dent in housing crisis. Too many people are feeling it right now – that quiet...
Serious Pie and Biscuit is shuttered. Construction cranes tower in the background.

Harrell Hopes to Fill Downtown Storefronts by Easing Code Restrictions

In a bid to reactivate Downtown Seattle, Mayor Harrell has proposed easing code restrictions in hopes of filling vacant storefronts with newly permitted uses like crafting studios, greenhouses, medical offices, art installations, public restrooms, and research laboratories.

Op-Ed: Six Ways to Improve Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan

Suggestions to improve the One Seattle plan include allow bigger buildings, embrace transit-oriented development, and jettison parking requirements. We can create a Seattle that pulls the working class in rather than pushing them out.

Sunday Video: What’s Happening With American Malls?

Malls have been closing up in America for years now, but remaining malls continue to reinvent themselves and some are seeing wild success. Dave...

New Alki Elementary School Draws Another Appeal, Even After Adding Parking Lot

Even after plans for a new Alki Elementary were redesigned to add parking, the project is caught in another appeal alleging there still isn't enough proposed parking. The delays triggered by the appeals have cost the school district at least $3 million so far.

Sunday Video: Should Cities Be Circular?

Dave Amos of City Beautiful talks about some examples of circular cities and the history of circle cities. Whether circle cities are deeply practical...