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Commentary

Op-Ed: Unclogging Seattle’s Water Permit Gauntlet Would Help Address Housing Crisis

Onerous requirements for new water infrastructure that go further than Washington state law are a part of the problem when it comes to encouraging home building in Seattle.
A half dozen police and a medic team talk to a person in a wheel chair across from Pioneer Square Station. A police cruiser and ambulance are parked along Third Avenue.

Harrell Cuts Social Safety Net to Fund 16% Boost to SPD

Mayor Bruce Harrell’s 2025 budget would cut elsewhere to fund a 16% increase to the Seattle Police Department. The cuts to affordable housing and social services could backfire, undermining public safety and homelessness response.

Seattle Council Seeks to Ban People Charged with Drug Crimes from Swaths of City

Hoping to disrupt the drug trade and prostitution, centrist councilmembers are resurrecting regressive exclusion zone policies that have failed repeatedly in the past.
A new six-story apartment building in Downtown Spokane.

Spokane Poised to Abolish Parking Mandates in Urbanist Reform Package

Spokane is advancing a package of urbanist-minded reforms that would make on-site parking optional for new buildings. It's part of a broader effort to spur homebuilding and reduce car dependency in the Lilac City.
Sue Rahr, City Attorney Ann Davison, and Amy Smith (last name is now Barden), the CARE head presented to Seattle City Council's public safety committee.

Seattle Pursues Looser Police Hiring Standards After High-Profile Screening Failure

The Seattle Police Department hired a cop with a record of reckless driving who went on to kill Jaahnavi Kandula while driving recklessly. However, instead of tightening hiring protocols, Seattle officials are looking to loosen them further.

Paris Hopes to Forge a New Model for Olympics-Oriented Development

Paris aims to break the mold, using major public investment for the Olympic Games for lasting benefit to the host city. Improvements include a cleaner Seine, major transit expansion, and a new eco-district. But will those efforts go far enough to win over locals?

Tacoma’s Almost Reality as an Olmsted-Designed Park City

In 1873, Tacomans considered laying out their fledgling city according to a unique Frederick Law Olmsted plan. The city ultimately discarded most of the plan, walking away from a greener, more park-oriented Tacoma.

Why Climate Advocates Should Be Urbanists, Part 2

Part 2 of this four-part series examines arguments against focusing on land use in climate policy and provides counter arguments. Ignoring land use changes and relying on electrification alone is a slower and riskier path to decarbonization.