Washington's only non-profit appellate public defense law firm has historically been tasked with handling around 40% of public defense appeals. But without a new contract agreement, it could have to close its doors at the end of the year, throwing hundreds of active cases into jeopardy.
The Urbanist Elections Committee is thrilled to announce our 2026 general election endorsements. Be sure to vote by November 3.
For one Saturday, pedestrians took over The Ave in a demonstration of the demand for people-focused spaces in the heart of Seattle's densest neighborhoods. Building on an idea that has been around since 1955, the advocates who put on the event hope it can start a trend.
Between safety upgrades and proposed new bus route, one of Tacoma’s most dangerous roads may see a safer future. The changes are a long time in the making.
The new Connection Court program restores a non-carceral pathway that had been closed off by Erika Evans' predecessor. But King County public defenders are raising concerns about how the two programs are set to be implemented.
A ruling last month from a state hearings board is prompting additional work on the environmental review underpinning Seattle's twenty-year growth plan. While that update isn't set to change the plan's contents, any vote to update zoning remains on hold until it wraps up.
The Urbanist is hosting two events this month, including a October 13 social in Bothell. Plus, we want to help you put on your own social in your area!
We're hosting a Pinehurst station area tour on September 30, the grand opening of the light rail stop.
Get your ticket to our September 15th Town Hall Seattle talk featuring CityNerd's Ray Delahanty and The Urbanist’s Ryan Packer. We're also hosting a Pinehurst station area tour on September 30, the grand opening of the light rail stop.
Seattle Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck and King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci are joining the program on September 15. Tickets are going fast, and we still need some volunteers to help facilitate the event.
Spending scenarios this week presented to the Bellevue City Council would put a potential 0.1% sales tax and new $20 car tab to use funding transportation investments. While the approach is framed as "balanced", business groups are pushing to maintain a focus on cars.
Bellevue should reconsider plans to extend NE Spring Boulevard. An alternative bike and pedestrian trail would be much cheaper and complementary to the future BelRed park the boulevard would cut through.
On October 6, Kirkland will be the first Eastside city to consider raising its minimum wage. Here's why Kirkland should take the leap.
While some Mukilteo residents would prefer to see their waterfront fully transformed into a park, this week a 6-1 vote opens the door to a broader array of uses. The move is seen as a first step toward creating a mixed-use district at the city's front door.
The Urbanist is hosting two events this month, including a October 13 social in Bothell. Plus, we want to help you put on your own social in your area!
If approved in early November, Community Transit would take over Everett Transit operations on April 1, 2027, with the existing Everett Transit network as its service baseline. A 50% increase in bus service would follow, to be fully implemented by 2030.
Pierce County transit advocates are confident that this is the year they can overcome the history of voters not getting on board with adding bus service funding in the South Sound. If Prop 1 is successful, Pierce Transit plans to ramp up service by 49% in the coming years.
The university’s planned campus design overhaul includes more community-focused green space, space for 5,000 more students, and a residence hall at the heart of campus in downtown Tacoma.
Many years in the making, Pierce County’s coordinated approach to homelessness still faces challenges after being approved by county council in June. With King County partially dismantling its troubled regional authority, Pierce County hopes to avoid the same mistakes.
KUOW's Soundside recently did a special on Sound Transit system expansion deliberations that heavily featured Urbanist contributing editor Ryan Packer. It's a great primer on the debate about how to best close the agency's $34.5 billion budget gap. Give it a listen!
The Urbanist newsroom discusses April headlines, like Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson expanding Bicycle Weekends, 300 transit advocates marching to save Ballard light rail from the chopping block, and pushback against a Capitol Hill crisis case center.
The Urbanist newsroom discusses the big opening day for Sound Transit's crosslake 2 Line, how we got here, and what it means for the future of light rail expansion in the Seattle region.
