Tacoma Sees 62% More Homes Enter Pipeline Following 2025 Zoning Overhaul
In the year since Tacoma adopted new zoning standards last February, the number of housing permits entering the pipeline jumped by 62% compared to the five-year average.
South Sound
Pierce Transit Rolls Out Expansion Plan and Pitches Funding Measure
Thanks to a 0.3% sales tax increase that voters could consider as soon as November, Pierce Transit is touting a plan that would result in 40% more transit service across South Sound. That increase would be a game-changer for a part of the region that has long lagged behind in transit service.
Somers Proposal Keeps Rail to Everett and Tacoma On Track, Stops Short of Ballard
A proposal to close a $34.5 billion gap in the voter-approved ST3 plan is on a fast track to a Sound Transit board vote on May 28. Developed by Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers, it would prioritize completing the regional rail "spine" while deferring and delaying multiple other major projects.
Pierce County May Join Neighbors in Blocking Federal Detention Center Expansion
Pierce County is set to consider an ordinance on March 24 that would prohibit a new ICE detention facility within its unincorporated areas. On March 3, King County passed just such an emergency ordinance. Advocates hope officials can do more to block illegal detentions.
ICE’s Tacoma Detention Center Targeted in New Lawsuit Alleging Abuses
A new lawsuit against the Northwest ICE detention center in Tacoma underscores the abusive conditions detainees face. Meanwhile, some local cities are seeking to block ICE’s plans to expand detention facilities in the region.
Op-Ed: Pierce County Must Run a Transit Ballot Measure in 2026
The Pierce Transit Board is considering a ballot measure in November 2026 that would boost funding to expand bus service, make routes more frequent, and create new connections to light rail. Two advocacy leaders make the case for this measure.
Pierce County’s Tight Budget Forces Tough Choices
Pierce County is facing financial challenges that are straining budgets, leading to health department layoffs and lagging transit service levels. Federal chaos could make the problem worse in years ahead.
Tacoma Turns to Builder Impact Fees to Bolster Transportation Funding
Tacoma’s new impact fee regime, which goes into effect next summer, will charge developers based on expected generation of car trips. Despite work to delicately calibrate the new fees, the proposal still drew criticism when it comes to adding costs to needed housing development.
Pierce County Boosts Affordable Housing Creation, Leveraging New Maureen Howard Fund
The Pierce County Council recently greenlit a set of awards for affordable housing projects using a relatively new funding source: the Maureen Howard Affordable Housing Act. Over its short life, the sales tax has raised more than $31 million, which will contribute to the creation of 1,700 affordable
Sound Transit Brokers Streetcar Swap Between Portland and Tacoma
At first glance, the deal appears to be heavily lopsided in favor of Sound Transit, which will trade aging Skoda streetcars for ones that are essentially brand new. But the Brookville cars leaving Portland experienced significant issues that could follow them to Tacoma.
Ibsen and Palmer Prevail in Tacoma, Pledging Housing, Safe Streets Push
Tacoma’s recent election elevated two urbanist-backed progressives, which could buoy efforts to expand housing, roll out street safety upgrades, and improve transit. The Urbanist chatted with Tacoma Mayor-Elect Anders Ibsen and incoming Councilmember Latasha Palmer about their plans.
Pro-Housing Candidates Make Gains All Around Puget Sound
On the whole, there were bright spots for urbanist candidates all around the region, with major gains seen in Burien, Redmond, and Tacoma. There was also some backsliding in places like Sammamish and Bainbridge Island.
Sound Transit Queues Big Express Bus Network Changes after Light Rail Openings
The changes will impact riders throughout King, Snohomish, and Pierce Counties as Sound Transit eliminates routes where travel times are competitive with new light rail options. The agency is also planning to launch a new overnight bus network to improve regional access.
Federal Way Light Rail Extension to Open December 6
Federal Way Link will open on December 6, ahead of the previous plan for an early 2026 opening, Sound Transit announced today.
Progressives Well-Positioned for Burien Council Takeover
The progressives running for the four Burien City Council seats up this year have the upper hand based on primary results. Sam Méndez, Hugo Garcia, Sarah Moore, and Rocco DeVito will have to close the deal in November to flip the council.
Tacoma Faces Pivotal Moment in Crowded Primary Election
Tacoma faces a pivotal August 5 primary in which voters will narrow field for mayor and city council seats. Housing, gun violence, and pedestrian safety have emerged as pressing issues in the Grit City.
Sound Transit Picks New Preferred Light Rail Route to Tacoma Dome
After navigating through a number of major issues that added years of delay, the Sound Transit board is poised to adopt a new preferred alternative for Tacoma Dome Link. The project isn’t slated to reach full design until 2027 and to open until 2035.
Pierce County Republicans Try to Bury Vision Zero Safety Action Plan
The fully completed plan, intended to provide an array of strategies that would advance Pierce County toward a goal of eliminating deaths and serious injuries by 2035, was only approved by a 4-3 vote last week.
Tacoma Voters Narrowly Reject Levy in Street Safety Setback
Tacoma voters balked at the price tag of the Streets Initiative II levy. That leaves Tacoma officials scrambling to come up with plan B to grapple with street safety and maintenance needs.
Who Is Hunter George, Sound Transit’s Newest Board Member?
A longtime councilmember from the small city of Fircrest, George brings a regional perspective on behalf of the South Sound area and an acknowledgement of the strong headwinds that Sound Transit faces, particularly in Pierce County.
‘Transformative’ Streets Initiative Goes to Tacoma Voters this Spring
The permanent renewal of Tacoma’s Streets Initiative would enable the city to make significant progress on overhauling its most dangerous streets, and significantly expand safe bicycle infrastructure. The ballot measure goes to voters in an April 22 special election.
$80 Million Grant Advances South King County’s RapidRide I Toward Construction
The $174 million RapidRide I Line between Renton, Kent, and Auburn is poised to start construction soon after Metro’s receipt of a FTA grant in the final days of the Biden Administration. The enhanced bus line is slated to open in 2027.
Op-Ed: A Wishlist for Pierce County Under Ryan Mello’s Leadership
Greening neighborhoods, boosting Pierce Transit funding by 50%, and embracing housing growth are the top three goals Rubén Casas has laid out for Pierce County under Ryan Mello’s progressive leadership.
Op-Ed: Transit in Rainier National Park Would Ensure Paradise for Everyone
A robust public transit network for Mount Rainier National Park could unlock trailheads and attractions to more visitors, while improving environmental sustainability. Rather than grousing about the park’s timed-entry system, let’s improve access for all.
South Federal Way’s Neighborhood Plan Takes Shape Around Light Rail Station
The area around a future light rail station in South Federal Way could see a significant amount of new housing and retail uses under the plan approved earlier this month. It is currently dominated by big box stores and industry.
Tacoma Set to Slash ‘Vision Zero’ Road Safety Budget by 90%
Tacoma’s $900,000 budget for Vision Zero is set to be slashed to $90,000 as the City prioritizes other areas for funding, leaving the Grit City without a dedicated revenue source for safety upgrades.
Home in Tacoma Rezone Advances, Comment Period Nears End
Home in Tacoma will get a public hearing on Tuesday, which will close the comment period for the Final Environmental Impact Statement. Soon the Tacoma City Council will debate and approve a final zoning plan using the options outlined in the study.
Tacoma’s Lincoln District Gets Tree Planting Boost with Green Blocks Program
Tacoma’s Green Blocks program is expanding into the Lincoln International District in October and looking for residents looking to help plant and care for trees.
2024 Primary Election Endorsements
The Urbanist Elections Committee is proud to unveil our 2024 Primary endorsements, headlined by Ryan Mello’s exciting bid for Pierce County Executive. This slate of urbanists is poised to make a difference.
Sounder’s South Line Could Get Frequency Boost Sooner in Program Reset
South Sounder riders could see more midday and weekday trips under a program reset. Sound Transit staff are recommending postponing pre-pandemic priorities for longer platforms and trains and accelerating investments in more trips and extended span of service.
Federal Way Approves Big Catalyst Development Near Light Rail
A long-vacant Target store is set to become home to around 1600 homes by the early 2040s under an agreement moving forward in Federal Way.
Pierce Transit Prepares to Launch ‘Stream Community Line’ Express Service
April 1 is the launch date for Pierce Transit’s newest offering, the Stream Community Line. A peak-hour service that will shadow existing service on the Route 1 between Tacoma Dome Station and Spanaway, the Community Line will run every 20 minutes from 5:30am to 7:30am and from 4pm to 7pm, only stop
Tacoma’s Grand Rezoning Plan Comes into View
If implemented, the new framework would make many of the types of buildings that already exist in abundance in Tacoma neighborhoods like Stadium and Proctor legal again to build across the city, with costly parking requirements in place reduced around current and planned transit.
Ryan Mello Has a Clear Vision for Pierce County
A vocal critic of highway expansion, Mello’s urbanist vision includes “parks and open space trails, a good transportation network, safe places to walk and bike.” He’s running for County Executive to seek to implement that vision.
Voters Set to Decide on Raise The Wage Renton in February Ballot Measure
Renton voters have until February 13 to vote in a special election on the measure putting the city’s minimum wage in line with Tukwila and SeaTac.
Op-Ed: What’s in a Name? Tacoma Town Center and the Future of Downtown
The stalling out of major downtown redevelopment offers a chance to finetune goals. The Tacoma Town Center, a $300-million project that is to be developed on a 6.4-acre parcel of land near the University of Washington Tacoma campus, is stalled once again. The reasons are typical: Developers
Sound Transit Reveals Big Cost Overrun for Federal Way Train Base
With maintenance base costs rising as much as $1 billion, Tacoma Dome Link could be at risk of further delay. Sound Transit has unearthed meteoric cost increases for the agency’s Operations and Maintenance Facility (OMF) South in Federal Way. Agency staff shared the news on Thursday at a committee
Pierce Transit Shelves Pacific Avenue BRT, Pivots to Delivering Express Bus in 2024
Scuttling bus rapid transit plans, Pierce Transit is moving ahead with a scaled back express bus shadowing Route 1. Bus rapid transit (BRT) along Pacific Avenue/State Route 7 in Pierce County is no longer feasible, according to Pierce Transit. The agency’s board met on August 14th and voted
Pierce Transit’s Plan for Pacific Avenue Bus Rapid Transit Project Collapses
Hopes for the first high-quality Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line in Pierce County were formally dashed this week when Pierce Transit told its board of commissioners that it could no longer move forward with plans to create any dedicated space for buses along Pacific Avenue between downtown Tacoma and
Extreme Heat and the Legacy of Racist Housing Policies in Seattle
A hot summer day in Seattle may be scorching in the Central District, a historically Black neighborhood, while North Capitol Hill, home to many affluent White residents, catches a reprieve. Land use patterns across the city vary significantly, resulting in unequal access to climate adaptive resources such as large trees
Op-Ed: Washington State Needs a Cumulative Air Toxics Law
The Duwamish River Valley hosts three freeways, two international airports, an international seaport, and a river so polluted it was declared a federal Superfund site, with over 300 industries lining the banks. Seattle’s only majority people of color and immigrant neighborhoods are also the most vulnerable; with more families,
Sharks in Lake Washington: Renton Business Pitch Competition to Award Up to $10,000
Have you ever dreamt of owning a business in a walkable urban neighborhood? You might find that opportunity awaits you in Renton, where the Downtown Renton Partnership is hosting the Main Street Entrepreneur Workshop and Pitch Competition, which kicks off next Tuesday, February 21st from 6-8pm. Over six sessions,
Housing Notes: Social Housing Leads, Coalition Urges Bolder One Seattle Plan, Affordable U District Highrise, and Ferndale ADUs
In this installment of Housing Notes, we focus on Seattle where there’s a bevy of housing news to report on, and then make a visit north to Ferndale where the City is banking on residents’ love of heavy metal music to promote ADUs (accessory dwelling units). Social Housing Initiative
Minimum Wage Initiative Launches in Renton, Builds Off Successes in South King County
Hot off the coattails of a resounding electoral victory to raise the minimum wage in Tukwila, a new coalition has formed to launch a similar ballot initiative campaign in Renton. Dubbed “Raise the Wage Renton,” chief organizer Guillermo Zazueta announced the campaign’s launch alongside students, workers, and elected officials
Report Highlights Puget Sound’s Housing Deficit and Zoning Reform Potential
On Thursday, Urban Institute released a new report focused on the Seattle metropolitan region that is sure to be of interest to urbanists and housing advocates. The Urbanist published a preview of this research this fall, after talking to lead researcher Yonah Freemark. The full report goes into much more
A User’s Guide to the Tacoma Line T Hilltop Extension
A lot of transit buzz in the Northwest recently has been about our regional light rail system, Line 1 and Line 2, being expanded and built out. It is an incredible undertaking, with the potential to unify the entire region and make it easier to skip sitting traffic on I-
Pierce Transit Plans ‘Stream’ BRT Expansion, Bus Lane Cutbacks on First Line
Pierce Transit is advancing its new bus rapid transit (BRT) program, Stream, with a first line planned from Tacoma to Spanaway that the agency hopes will encourage further expansions. In June, the Pierce Transit board of commissioners approved a study that could bring four more Stream lines into service by
2020 Point-in-Time Report Shows Homelessness Continues to Climb in King County
Data reveals a 5% increase in people living on the streets from 2019. In the earliest hours of the morning on January 24th, 2020, volunteers set out to conduct King County’s annual Point-in-Time count. For the first time in three years, it rained heavily as the volunteers
BRT Chosen For Tacoma-Spanaway Bus Corridor By Pierce Transit
Last week, the Pierce Transit Board of Directors formally took the step to decide the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for an upgraded transit corridor between Downtown Tacoma and Spanaway. The board of directors chose the preferred route and technology to be used, the latter mostly just being a formality as
Fewer, Better Routes In Pierce Transit Restructure
To date, the pace of local transit service restoration in Tacoma-Pierce County following the Great Recession has been a slow crawl, expanding at roughly 15,000 service hours a year. Much of Pierce Transit’s current network, with some notable exceptions, operates at hourly headways and only runs until