Image description: a sketch of a Link light rail train at an elevated station with text reading: Move Redmond 12:00 to 4PM May 10th Redmond 2 Line Opening Celebration - trails 2 transit presented by Sound Transit at Downtown Redmond Station..

Opinion

In Defense of Little or No Plans

American architect and urban designer Daniel Burnham’s famous "make no small plans" imperative is destroying your city and your life. You should get a bingo...

The View From Nathan’s Bus: State of the (Seattle) Union

The most lasting advice I received in art school was to "think about how I think." To question why I respond this or that...
The Capitol building in Olympia is marble colored and include pillars and a dome in the classic style.

Lessons from Washington State’s New Capital Gains Tax

Taxing the rich works like a charm. Last week we learned that the capital gains tax — which was passed by the state legislature in...

Let the Robots Write the Ordinance

Planners have a lot to wrestle with as ChatGPT comes to code drafting. “In the era of rapid urbanization and evolving urban landscapes, the development...
Chainlink fence with a for rent sign for a house.

Dueling Tenant Rights Measures Square Off in Tacoma

Tacoma For All is pushing a sweeping tenant bill of rights, and the City is planning a weaker package of changes. Affordable housing and tenants’...

Sounder South Could Get Service Boost and More Tracks Near Tacoma

Sound Transit is taking a beat to rethink Sounder South capital expansion investments and plan targeted investments that could benefit existing Sounder and Amtrak...
Trench cut in dirt with an intersection of iron pipes and a lightly colored stormwater crossing.

The Urbanist Podcast: How to Crush a Housing Project the Seattle Way

In this episode, civil engineer and Urbanist contributing writer Donna Breske discusses her experience with the frustrating hurdles posed by the permitting process in Seattle with...

Legislators Continue Failed War on Drugs Approach in Blake Fix Bill

This week, state legislators were in special session pursuing the urgent business of continuing the war on drugs. Lawmakers were unable to reach a...