Seattle’s Dual Dispatch Civilian Crisis Responder Program Expands, Despite Obstacles
Seattle's civilian safety department will quadruple in size by hiring 18 additional responders and 3 supervisors. For now, the CARE department is handling a tiny fraction of 911 calls, but that could change in time.
Sound Transit Seeks Hail Mary Financial Tool to Complete ST3 Buildout
With creative tools needed to get the entire Sound Transit 3 network across the finish line as planned, Sound Transit is turning to the idea of 75-year bonds. If the Washington State Legislature OKs the concept, the move would mean extending debt to finance light rail projects into the next century.
Mosqueda Champions Bolder Zoning Alternative 6 in Initial Council Comp Plan Discussions
The land use committee meeting on Wednesday was an eventful one, as several councilmembers shared their critiques of the Seattle comprehensive plan work thus...
Lorena González 2021 Questionnaire — Seattle Mayor
Council President M. Lorena González is among the crowded field to replace outgoing Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan. González was elected in 2015 as the...
A Look Back at the Housing and Land Use Bills of the 2019 Session
In April, the Washington State Legislature concluded the 2019 legislative session. Many progressive environmental, transportation, land use, and housing bills managed to win approval...
Seattle to Acquire Sisley Properties in Roosevelt
The Seattle City Council will vote today on whether to acquire a one-fifth-acre property from Hugh Sisley, an infamous slumlord in the city's Roosevelt...
Ferguson’s Continued Focus on Austerity Places King County in Jeopardy
King County Council members are sounding the alarm after Governor Bob Ferguson’s opposition to lifting the property tax cap threw their future budget into chaos. Ferguson’s opposition to new revenue options is also jeopardizing the state budget and could force deep service cuts and potentially a special session to hammer out details.
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.