Staff Biography

Ryan Packer

Ryan Packer has been writing for The Urbanist since 2015, and currently reports full-time as Contributing Editor. Their beats are transportation, land use, public space, traffic safety, and obscure community meetings. Packer has also reported for other regional outlets including BikePortland, Seattle Met, and PubliCola. They live in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle.

Recent Articles

Sound Transit Board Closes In on Fare Gate Proposal

The board motion advanced this week asks for one final look at where fare gates would make sense in Sound Transit's light rail system before implementing a potential pilot program before the end of 2026.
Dana is an Asian woman with black hair wearing a gray coat. She stands on a sidewalk-less corner by a utility pole. In the distance are some large apartment complexes.

Despite Sidewalk Funding Boost, Some Seattle Neighborhoods Still Feel Shortchanged

Seattle is missing thousands of blocks of sidewalks. But the lower-cost sidewalk alternatives being advanced by the Seattle Department of Transportation don't always live up to what's expected in neighborhoods that have lacked basic infrastructure for decades.

Thousands Pack Trains for Launch of Federal Way Light Rail

Transit riders and elected officials alike celebrated light rail's arrival in South King County, as Sound Transit held a grand celebration to tout its three new stations and cut the ribbon in Federal Way.

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.

Everything You Need to Know About Federal Way Link

The three stations of the eight-mile Federal Way Link light rail extension open December 6. Here's your guide to the new line and the opening day festivities.