Seattle Council Updates Living Building Incentives, Unsticking Belltown Tower Project
A small tweak to Seattle's land use code will allow a 182-unit tower to move forward in Belltown after years of appeal. Clearer direction around stacking height incentives like those in the sustainability-focused Living Building program could potentially allow more homes throughout downtown in the coming years.
Moore Steps Down, Seattle Council to Appoint Replacement to 16-Month Term
District 5 Councilmember Cathy Moore's announced her resignation today, effective July 7. Moore's departure will queue up a 16-month term for the appointee the Council selects. In November 2026, D5 voters will elect a councilmember to a one-year term.
Op-Ed: Washington Legislature Must Break Boeing’s Corporate Handout Addiction
Boeing has taken in billions in tax breaks from Washington State, but still lays off workers all the same. Nonetheless, state lawmakers are pushing to include a loophole to a new tax to shield Boeing yet again.
Ry Armstrong Lays Out Progressive Contrast Against Mayor Harrell
Last month, actor and union representative Ry Armstrong jumped in the Seattle mayor's race, arguing Bruce Harrell is dropping the ball on a plethora of issues. In their interview with The Urbanist, Armstrong explained what they'd do differently.
Bellevue Council Update: Supporting Further Affordable Housing Actions and Multimodal Transportation
After a lengthy update on the state legislative session and an overview of the city's federal legislative priorities, discussions at Bellevue's City Council meeting...
Kirkland’s New Mental Health Crisis Center Top Contender for Levy Contract
Kirkland Connections is a new 24/7 mental health crisis center that could prove a model for the five crisis centers a county levy approved and funded in 2023. Such services are rare in the region.
The Urbanist Podcast: 2022 Legislature Wrap Up
A 60-day legislative session might seem like a ridiculously short period of time to get governing done for the eighth largest economy in the...
Seattle Council Greenlights Police Surveillance Expansion, Ignoring Community Objections
This week, the Seattle City Council took a controversial 7-2 vote to greatly expand the Seattle Police Department’s surveillance pilot program, as proposed by Mayor Bruce Harrell. Public comment was overwhelmingly against the idea, and progressive candidates also criticized the move.








