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Labor Leader Sabio-Howell Launches Bid Challenging State Senator Jamie Pedersen Amy Sundberg - March 9, 2026 Hannah Sabio-Howell is taking on State Senator Jamie Pedersen in the 43rd Legislative District. As a young Millennial renter and labor movement leader, she is stressing an affordability agenda and contending the longtime incumbent is too cozy with corporations and unwilling to take on the rich and powerful. Read more var block_tdi_504 = new tdBlock(); block_tdi_504.id = "tdi_504"; block_tdi_504.atts = '{"custom_title":"Recent Posts","ajax_pagination":"load_more","block_template_id":"td_block_template_8","tdc_css":"eyJhbGwiOnsiZGlzcGxheSI6IiJ9LCJwaG9uZSI6eyJkaXNwbGF5IjoiIn19","f_header_font_family":"471","f_header_font_style":"oblique","f_header_font_weight":"400","f_more_font_style":"","f_more_font_transform":"uppercase","td_ajax_filter_type":"td_category_ids_filter","td_ajax_filter_ids":"122, 99, 224, 42, 97, 223, 479, 3, 221, 43, 18, 105","td_filter_default_txt":"","td_ajax_preloading":"","border_color":"#000000","f_ajax_font_transform":"","m11f_cat_font_transform":"","offset":"1","limit":"7","m10f_title_font_size":"18","m10f_ex_font_size":"14","m10_el":"23","m10_tl":"12","m10f_ex_font_family":"fs_1","block_type":"td_block_11","separator":"","custom_url":"","post_ids":"","category_id":"","taxonomies":"","category_ids":"","in_all_terms":"","tag_slug":"","autors_id":"","installed_post_types":"","include_cf_posts":"","exclude_cf_posts":"","sort":"","popular_by_date":"","linked_posts":"","favourite_only":"","open_in_new_window":"","show_modified_date":"","time_ago":"","time_ago_add_txt":"ago","time_ago_txt_pos":"","review_source":"","el_class":"","f_header_font_header":"","f_header_font_title":"Block header","f_header_font_settings":"","f_header_font_size":"","f_header_font_line_height":"","f_header_font_transform":"","f_header_font_spacing":"","f_header_":"","f_ajax_font_title":"Ajax categories","f_ajax_font_settings":"","f_ajax_font_family":"","f_ajax_font_size":"","f_ajax_font_line_height":"","f_ajax_font_style":"","f_ajax_font_weight":"","f_ajax_font_spacing":"","f_ajax_":"","f_more_font_title":"Load more button","f_more_font_settings":"","f_more_font_family":"","f_more_font_size":"","f_more_font_line_height":"","f_more_font_weight":"","f_more_font_spacing":"","f_more_":"","m10f_title_font_header":"","m10f_title_font_title":"Article title","m10f_title_font_settings":"","m10f_title_font_family":"","m10f_title_font_line_height":"","m10f_title_font_style":"","m10f_title_font_weight":"","m10f_title_font_transform":"","m10f_title_font_spacing":"","m10f_title_":"","m10f_cat_font_title":"Article category tag","m10f_cat_font_settings":"","m10f_cat_font_family":"","m10f_cat_font_size":"","m10f_cat_font_line_height":"","m10f_cat_font_style":"","m10f_cat_font_weight":"","m10f_cat_font_transform":"","m10f_cat_font_spacing":"","m10f_cat_":"","m10f_meta_font_title":"Article meta info","m10f_meta_font_settings":"","m10f_meta_font_family":"","m10f_meta_font_size":"","m10f_meta_font_line_height":"","m10f_meta_font_style":"","m10f_meta_font_weight":"","m10f_meta_font_transform":"","m10f_meta_font_spacing":"","m10f_meta_":"","m10f_ex_font_title":"Article excerpt","m10f_ex_font_settings":"","m10f_ex_font_line_height":"","m10f_ex_font_style":"","m10f_ex_font_weight":"","m10f_ex_font_transform":"","m10f_ex_font_spacing":"","m10f_ex_":"","ajax_pagination_next_prev_swipe":"","ajax_pagination_infinite_stop":"","css":"","td_column_number":2,"header_color":"","color_preset":"","border_top":"","class":"tdi_504","tdc_css_class":"tdi_504","tdc_css_class_style":"tdi_504_rand_style"}'; block_tdi_504.td_column_number = "2"; block_tdi_504.block_type = "td_block_11"; block_tdi_504.post_count = "7"; block_tdi_504.found_posts = "7749"; block_tdi_504.header_color = ""; block_tdi_504.ajax_pagination_infinite_stop = ""; block_tdi_504.max_num_pages = "1107"; tdBlocksArray.push(block_tdi_504);

Mosquito Fleet Act Runs Into Choppy Seas in the State Senate Ryan Packer - March 8, 2026 Ferry advocates had been hoping that expanded authority to create passenger ferry districts could allow them to supplement state ferry service in more areas. But changes to the bill in the state Senate could significantly undermine that goal.

Advocates Gather at UW, Pushing for Safer, More Accessible Streets Carolyn Bick - March 7, 2026 At UW’s OpenThePaths conference, elected officials, advocacy leaders, and researchers brainstormed strategies to transform streets to be safe, sustainable, and accessible for all. While overcoming decades of car-centric policymaking won’t be easy, speakers pointed to new momentum and advocacy tools.

A 2 Line train at Downtown Bellevue Station on a sunny day

Riders wait as a train pulls into Columbia Station Station, which in the median of a four-lane road.

Op-Ed: Finding Smart Solutions to Sound Transit Budget Woes Robert Cruickshank - March 6, 2026 Taking lessons from the YIMBY movement, Robert Cruickshank charts a path forward to build out the 116 miles of light rail promised to voters in the Sound Transit 3 ballot measure, leveraging popular support to press for additional funding and lasting reforms to control costs.

Ron Davis holds a microphone and a house mascot and a dozen sign wielding advocates standing in front of the glass spheres.

Former Seattle Council Candidate Ron Davis Challenges Longtime Legislator Gerry Pollet Ryan Packer - March 5, 2026 Taking on an incumbent who has been in office since 2011, Ron Davis is eyeing tax changes, housing reforms, and a more robust state response to federal overreach as major planks of his platform.

Wilson wears a black blazer and stands at a lectern in front of a half completed tiny home with inspirational messages scrawled on the siding.

Wilson Rolls Out Bills Expediting Emergency Housing for Homeless Residents Doug Trumm - March 5, 2026 Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson rolled out new legislation intended to expedite production of emergency housing and homeless shelter at the Hope Factory in SoDo. She aims to produce 1,000 units in her first year.

Op-Ed: Why Seattle Neighborhood Greenways Is Rebranding as Seattle Streets Alliance Joshua Holland - March 5, 2026 After 15 years fighting for safe streets, Seattle Neighborhood Greenways is excited to become Seattle Streets Alliance to more accurately reflect the nature of our grassroots organization’s mission. Here's what this changes means. Load more

Features

Sound Transit ‘Building Blocks’ Set Stage for Major Decisions this Spring Ryan Packer - February 19, 2026

Mosquito Fleet Act Seeks to Throw Ferry-Oriented Communities a Lifeline Ryan Packer - February 16, 2026

From the the I-90 East Portal Viewpoint, Lake Washington and the Downtown Bellevue skyline is visible in the distance. Constantine stands at the lectern gesturing with his hand.

2 Line Countdown Milestone Points to Light Rail Battles Ahead Doug Trumm - February 5, 2026

A 2 Line train sits at Sound Transit's elevated light rail station in Downtown Redmond.

Olympia Seeks to Boost Sound Transit with Long Overdue Permit Reforms Ryan Packer - February 4, 2026

Rico is a Black man with braids and a button up shirt posing in front of the Seattle skyline

OPCD Further Trims Corridor Upzones in Newly Unveiled Seattle Zoning Maps Doug Trumm - January 30, 2026

Sound Transit’s 2 Line Will Finally Connect Across I-90 on March 28 Ryan Packer and Doug Trumm - January 23, 2026

Events

About 20 urbanists sit around a long table in the tavern.

Join Us for Our January Socials and North Sound Election Debrief Diego Batres - January 5, 2026 Join us for our January socials in Seattle and in Redmond, plus a special North Sound event recapping the 2025 election and looking to the political battles ahead.

A reading nook in The Collective includes a mural of a mountain range

Two Weeks Until The Urbanist’s Winter Holiday Party Diego Batres - November 26, 2025 Get your ticket to The Urbanist's annual holiday party while supplies last. Our speaking program on December 9 will feature Seattle Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck and other urbanist leaders and newly elected officials.

Support Our Work

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Eastside Coverage

Eastsiders Pack ‘Save Issaquah Light Rail’ Rally Ryan Packer - February 26, 2026 The crowded community meeting was the first step in an advocacy campaign intended to persuade members of the Sound Transit board about the value of continuing light rail expansion on the Eastside. Issaquah city leaders are bringing ideas to the table they say could cut costs.

Bellevue Adds Hurdles to Old Main Redevelopment to Preserve ‘Cultural Value’ Ryan Packer - February 12, 2026 The new regulations, which will stay in place for at least six months, require either façade preservation for older buildings or new façades that match them. Though the goal is to maintain Main Street's pedestrian friendly atmosphere, little remains in place to prevent small business displacement from Old Bellevue.

Issaquah Pitches Case for Keeping Its Light Rail Line on Track Ryan Packer - February 11, 2026 The $5.6 billion to $6.3 billion light rail line between South Kirkland and Issaquah is currently set to open by 2044 but could see further delays. Newly elected Mayor Mark Mullet wants the project to serve as an example of how to get creative in response to funding shortfalls.

One Seattle Plan

Seattle Planning Director Says Upzones Within Two Blocks of Transit Inbound… Eventually

Seattle Planning Director Says Upzones Within Two Blocks of Transit Inbound…... Doug Trumm - March 3, 2026 Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson's administration is queuing up housing density increases within two blocks of all frequent transit corridors, planning director Rico Quirondongo revealed at a recent meeting of the Seattle Planning Commission, which pushed for the idea and greeted the plan warmly.

OPCD Further Trims Corridor Upzones in Newly Unveiled Seattle Zoning Maps Doug Trumm - January 30, 2026 Zoning maps for 30 new neighborhood growth centers, a handful of urban center expansions, and narrow transit corridor rezones dropped on Thursday. With the patchy current vision driven by Harrell, new Mayor Katie Wilson has pledged to come back and expand the plan once further environmental study is completed.

Op-Ed: Why Housing Abundance is Key to Fighting Climate Change Michael Gillenwater - January 29, 2026 Building more dense housing within vibrant walkable neighborhoods is a key climate strategy, argues IPCC author Michael Gillenwater. The Seattle Comprehensive Plan could further those opportunities.

Transportation

Sound Transit’s Bid to Unlock 75-Year Bonds Finds Second Wind Ryan Packer - March 6, 2026

Op-Ed: Finding Smart Solutions to Sound Transit Budget Woes Robert Cruickshank - March 6, 2026

Op-Ed: Why Seattle Neighborhood Greenways Is Rebranding as Seattle Streets Alliance Joshua Holland - March 5, 2026

WSDOT Advances Plan to Tame I-90 Ramps at Judkins Park Station Ryan Packer - March 4, 2026

Sound Transit Breaks Ground on Stride S3 Bothell-to-Shoreline Bus Line Ryan Packer - March 2, 2026

Sunday Video: CityNerd’s Best Transit Cities in North America Doug Trumm - March 1, 2026

Land Use/Housing

Seattle’s No-Cost Climate Pollution Cut Jay Lee - February 28, 2026

Legislation Targeting Ground-Floor Storefronts Gets Overhauled in House Ryan Packer - February 27, 2026

Seattle Library Workers Raise Alarm About Security Crackdown Hitting Homeless People Justin Ward - February 23, 2026

Wilson Sketches Affordability Agenda in State of City Speech Doug Trumm - February 18, 2026

More land use/housing posts »

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Commentary

Seattle’s No-Cost Climate Pollution Cut Jay Lee - February 28, 2026

Op-Ed: Nobody Wants to Live Next to a Highway Anna Zivarts - February 25, 2026

Op-Ed: Issaquah’s Plan to Build Its Rail Line Faster and Cheaper Mark Mullet, Kelly Jiang and Kevin Nichols - February 23, 2026

Op-Ed: Why HB 2442 is a Lifeline for Cash-Strapped King County Toshiko Hasegawa - February 21, 2026

Seattle Superbowl Victory Parade Spurs Ridership Records for Transit and Scootershare Doug Trumm - February 19, 2026

Op-Ed: Washington Legislature, Don’t Reverse the Estate Tax John Burbank (Guest Contributor) - February 17, 2026

Podcasts

An aerial view of the I-90 bridge with a row of westbound cars and a group of construction workers following a light rail vehicle along the center tracks during the tow testing.

Urbanist Podcast: Crosslake Light Rail + ICE-Triggered Constitutional Crisis Doug Trumm - February 13, 2026 In this episode of The Urbanist Podcast, our newsroom discusses what the crosslake 2 Line opening will means for the region, what removing Claudia Balducci as System Expansion Committee Chair means for Sound Transit, and what the region is doing to address a constitutional crisis created by Trump's illegal campaign of mass deportation.

An aerial view of a large highway bridge.

Urbanist Podcast: Olympia Preview and a Highway Boondoggle Doug Trumm - January 22, 2026 In this podcast, The Urbanist newsroom previews Washington's state legislative session and breaks down the huge setback dealt to the I-5 Interstate Bridge Replacement project, a highway boondoggle with a ballooning budget. Plus, Amy and Doug recounted their first interview with Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson since she's been installed in office.

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Features

Sound Transit ‘Building Blocks’ Set Stage for Major Decisions this Spring Ryan Packer - February 19, 2026

Mosquito Fleet Act Seeks to Throw Ferry-Oriented Communities a Lifeline Ryan Packer - February 16, 2026

2 Line Countdown Milestone Points to Light Rail Battles Ahead Doug Trumm - February 5, 2026

Olympia Seeks to Boost Sound Transit with Long Overdue Permit Reforms Ryan Packer - February 4, 2026

OPCD Further Trims Corridor Upzones in Newly Unveiled Seattle Zoning Maps Doug Trumm - January 30, 2026

Sound Transit’s 2 Line Will Finally Connect Across I-90 on March 28 Ryan Packer and Doug Trumm - January 23, 2026

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Events

Join Us for February Urbanist Socials and Waterways Presentation March 3rd Diego Batres - February 8, 2026 The Urbanist is hosting social meetups on February 19 (in Seattle) and February 26 (in Redmond). We're also hosting a talk on the Seattle Waterlines Project on March 3 in Capitol Hill.

Join Us for Our January Socials and North Sound Election Debrief Diego Batres - January 5, 2026 Join us for our January socials in Seattle and in Redmond, plus a special North Sound event recapping the 2025 election and looking to the political battles ahead.

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Transportation

Sound Transit’s Bid to Unlock 75-Year Bonds Finds Second Wind Ryan Packer - March 6, 2026

Op-Ed: Finding Smart Solutions to Sound Transit Budget Woes Robert Cruickshank - March 6, 2026

Op-Ed: Why Seattle Neighborhood Greenways Is Rebranding as Seattle Streets Alliance Joshua Holland - March 5, 2026

WSDOT Advances Plan to Tame I-90 Ramps at Judkins Park Station Ryan Packer - March 4, 2026

Sound Transit Breaks Ground on Stride S3 Bothell-to-Shoreline Bus Line Ryan Packer - March 2, 2026

Sunday Video: CityNerd’s Best Transit Cities in North America Doug Trumm - March 1, 2026

Land Use/Housing

Seattle’s No-Cost Climate Pollution Cut Jay Lee - February 28, 2026

Legislation Targeting Ground-Floor Storefronts Gets Overhauled in House Ryan Packer - February 27, 2026

Urbanist Podcast: Social Housing and Wilson’s Four Pillars of Affordability Doug Trumm - February 26, 2026

Seattle Library Workers Raise Alarm About Security Crackdown Hitting Homeless People Justin Ward - February 23, 2026

Seattle Social Housing Staffs Up, Nets $115 Million Doug Trumm - February 22, 2026

Wilson Sketches Affordability Agenda in State of City Speech Doug Trumm - February 18, 2026

Commentary

Seattle’s No-Cost Climate Pollution Cut Jay Lee - February 28, 2026

Op-Ed: Nobody Wants to Live Next to a Highway Anna Zivarts - February 25, 2026

Op-Ed: Issaquah’s Plan to Build Its Rail Line Faster and Cheaper Mark Mullet, Kelly Jiang and Kevin Nichols - February 23, 2026

Op-Ed: Why HB 2442 is a Lifeline for Cash-Strapped King County Toshiko Hasegawa - February 21, 2026

Seattle Superbowl Victory Parade Spurs Ridership Records for Transit and Scootershare Doug Trumm - February 19, 2026

Op-Ed: Washington Legislature, Don’t Reverse the Estate Tax John Burbank (Guest Contributor) - February 17, 2026

Podcasts