Politics and Government

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...
Armstrong in a blazer. Yellow background behind.

Ry Armstrong’s D3 Seattle Council Bid Stresses Shelter, Safety, and Sustainability

As a queer non-binary Broadway actor running as a radical Democratic socialist urbanist, Ry Armstong is mounting one of the more unique bids for...
Trees, Wallingford, 1920s townhomes

Seattle City Council District 4: Flirting with Disaster, Hoping for Deliverance

Elections have consequences – sometimes far greater than we would have initially imagined. Progressive urbanist Shaun Scott’s loss to Alex Pedersen in the last...

Sunday Video: Historic District Abuse

This week, Dave Amos over at City Beautiful does an excellent job discussing the history and pitfalls of historic districts. From their early application...
Bicyclist in neon jacket and helmet on busy street. Cruise terminal and ship behind him.

Are Cruise Ships Crushing Seattle’s Climate Goals?

Whether pushing for a car-centric waterfront or failing to deliver on electric shore power, the Port of Seattle’s commitment to sustainability is an open...
Maren is smiling and wearing a blue scarf.

Maren Costa Builds Council Run on West Seattle Roots and Climate Organizing

Last week The Urbanist took a peek at how the Seattle's Council District 1 race is shaping up, and former Amazon tech worker turned...

State Transportation Budget Passes Over Aurora Avenue Safety Project

After including a much-celebrated $50 million allocation for Seattle's deadliest state highway, Aurora Avenue N, in the 2022 Move Ahead Washington transportation package, the...

Heroes and Zeroes of the 2023 Washington State Legislature

Single family zoning will soon be a thing of the past for most Washington cities thanks to passage of statewide “missing middle” housing reform...