Urbanist Podcast: New Year, New Mayor, New Budget
Ryan Packer, Amy Sundberg, and Doug Trumm kick off the new year by breaking down Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson's inauguration and Washington Governor Bob Ferguson's budget proposal, which included deep cuts to public education, while also queuing up a millionaires income tax for 2029.
Dionne Foster Takes Office, Aiming to Tackle Housing Issues
Seattle City Councilmember Dionne Foster took office Tuesday, echoing Mayor Katie Wilson's call for "bread and roses" to tackle the city's affordability crisis while strengthening the social and cultural fabric.
Joy Hollingsworth Takes Helm in Seattle Council Shakeup
District 3 Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth will head the Seattle City Council following a progressive wave election, and will be tasked with managing several distinct factions. Her first task was navigating committee assignments, where comity was prioritized over policymaking priorities.
Katie Wilson Takes Office as Seattle’s Unabashed Urbanist Mayor
In remarks after being sworn in as Seattle's 58th mayor, Katie Wilson painted a vision of improving the daily lives of residents that was explicitly urbanist: focused around livability and ensuring that no one gets pushed out of the city.
Looking Back on The Urbanist’s 2025
2025 was a pivotal year for the Seattle region and for The Urbanist. Voters elected more urbanists to office than ever before, and The Urbanist also made strides as an organization. Let's look back on the year that was, as we forge ahead.
Urbanist Podcast: A Light Rail Opening and Police Accountability Door Closing
Ryan Packer, Amy Sundberg, and Doug Trumm discuss the Federal Way Link light rail opening in early December, Katie Wilson's transition team and early hires, and the Seattle City Council's vote to approve a controversial labor contract with the Seattle Police Officers Guild.
Katie Wilson Taps Angela Brady as Interim SDOT Director
Waterfront revamp veteran Angela Brady is taking over as Seattle's transportation department head, replacing Adiam Emery, who previously served as one of Bruce Harrell's deputy mayors. The Wilson Administration will conduct a broader search for a longer-term SDOT Director in 2026.
Seattle OKs New Growth Plan, but Biggest Zoning Battles Lie Ahead
The adoption of the Seattle Comprehensive Plan, nearly one year late under a state-imposed deadline, is setting up much bigger debate over where additional housing density will be allowed in the city. Those issues, set to be discussed in 2026, include adding neighborhood centers and upzones along transit corridors.