Politics and Government

Meetup Video: February 2022 with Chamber CEO Rachel Smith

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfaCfLjpAHc This month's meetup featured Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce CEO Rachel Smith. The Urbanist discussed the state transportation package and other legislative priorities with...

State Transportation Budget Proposals Advance Major Seattle Projects

As the House and Senate transportation committees prepare to get their unified Move Ahead Washington transportation package through their respective houses, they are also...

Sunday Video: What Is NIMBYism?

Dave Amos of City Beautiful takes on the topic of NIMBYism (Not In My Back Yard) and distills down what might be the driving...

The Urbanist Podcast: Death of the Missing Middle Housing Bill and Industrial Zones

In this second (preview) episode of The Urbanist's podcast, my fellow host Ray Dubicki and I continue on our journey toward becoming podcasters, which...
A cottage in a leafy backyard in the fall.

Missing Middle Bill Dies in House, but Statewide Backyard Cottage Reform Remains in Play

Oregon passed statewide missing middle housing reform in 2019, as did California in 2021. Hopes were high that Washington State would follow suit in...

Bellevue Council Update: Some Lessons in Council Procedure

At Monday's Bellevue City Council meeting, Councilmembers voted to approve over $1.7 million in funding for crosswalk improvements, approved further work on a city-sponsored...

Harrell Pledges SPD Staffing Surge in State of City Speech

The Mayor asked for budget cuts from other city departments to close an anticipated $150 million funding gap next year. Mayor Bruce Harrell delivered his...
A photo of townhouses with lush shrubs and trees.

Introducing The Urbanist’s Podcast

In this preview of The Urbanist's forthcoming podcast, Natalie Argerious discusses the missing middle housing bill, HB 1782, which just might make it across...