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Opinion

Katie Wilson Rallies Pike Place Market Workers

In a campaign event last week, Seattle mayoral candidate Katie Wilson harkened back to her younger street-musician days when she used to busk at Pike Place Market. Wilson told a gathering of Market workers and community members that she understood their struggles; she has lived them, and Seattle's mayoral frontrunner told them she is fighting for the little guy.

Cherrypicking Data, Harrell Paints Misleading Picture of Seattle’s Traffic Safety Progress

While Bruce Harrell is touting a drop in the number of pedestrian deaths in Seattle last year, that number has shot up again in 2025. And despite his promotion of safety spending in a newly approved transportation levy, his legacy on the issue of traffic safety likely won't be known for years.
It's photo snapping time as the Bainbridge ferry approaches Seattle, offering sweeps shots of the skyline along the shores of Elliott Bay

2025 General Election Endorsements

The Urbanist Elections Committee is excited to announce our 2025 general election endorsements, which span the region from Tacoma to Everett. Be sure to vote by November 4.

Op-Ed: Why Seattle’s Housing Future Depends on You

The Urbanist and Tech4Housing are hosting a rally and mega-canvass Sunday in Columbia City for Seattle City Council candidates Alexis Mercedes Rinck, Dionne Foster, and Eddie Lin, City Attorney candidate Erika Evans, and mayoral candidate Katie Wilson. Join us to help put the urbanist slate over the top.

Op-Ed: Seattle’s MFTE Program 7 Widens Access and Participation

One local builder lays out the case for passing the City's Multifamily Tax Exemption Program 7 proposal, which would expand access to a wider pool of renters and encourage participation in the program. The Seattle City Council is set to vote today.
two guys jumping off the top of the ped bridge

Seattle Street Ends: South Lake Union

Today, John Feit's Shoreline Street End series visits South Lake Union. In previous posts, he's explored street end park spaces all over the city, often hidden gems.
An aerial image shows a yellow line demarcating the trail route through the play fields to the nature area along Union Bay.

Op-Ed: UW’s Union Bay Hypocrisy: Public Land, Private Fence

The Union Bay Natual Area is 74 acres of public open space with miles of trails, but the University of Washington has rebuffed advocates pushing to remove a fence and add a trail to improve access. Here's why they should reconsider.

Op-Ed: Link Light Rail’s Success Depends on Second Downtown Seattle Tunnel

Some Sound Transit boardmembers have questioned the necessity of building a second light rail tunnel in downtown Seattle, arguing that routing Ballard Link through the existing tunnel could save billions. However, that arrangement introduces huge challenges of its own. Here's why a second tunnel is key to future plans.