Seattle Police delivered their report on federal immigration enforcement policies to the City Council, but did not directly address some questions, highlighting the limitations SPD faces in responding to ICE overreach in Seattle.
Seattle Police delivered their report on federal immigration enforcement policies to the City Council, but did not directly address some questions, highlighting the limitations SPD faces in responding to ICE overreach in Seattle.
The Urbanist's Ryan Packer, Amy Sundberg, and Doug Trumm discussed recent news out of Olympia, candidate campaign rollouts, and King County transportation funding woes.
The proposed $410 million levy is around 50% higher than the 2019 library levy, adjusted for inflation. With a focus on maintaining hours and modestly expanding services, the package doesn't include many big ticket items.
Join The Urbanist for our March socials, including riding the 2 Line across the lake with us on March 28th!
Washington's Court of Appeals will decide whether the legislature left a major loophole in place when it passed recent laws to prevent zoning changes that increase housing capacity in cities from being mired in lengthy legal appeals.
2026 had been an opportunity to get Seattle and King County on the same page when it came to sustainable, long-term funding for Metro. But King County leaders are signaling they need more time.
Join The Urbanist for our March socials, including riding the 2 Line across the lake with us on March 28th!
The Urbanist is hosting social meetups on February 19 (in Seattle) and February 26 (in Redmond). Weāre also hosting a talk on the Seattle Waterlines Project on March 3 in Capitol Hill.
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.
Get your ticket to The Urbanistās 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.
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.
The new regulations, which will stay in place for at least six months, require either faƧade preservation for older buildings or new faƧades that match them. Though the goal is to maintain Main Streetās pedestrian friendly atmosphere, little remains in place to prevent small business displacement fr
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.
When it opens in 2028, the S3 rapid bus line will provide riders across Bothell, Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, and Shoreline with a more frequent, reliable transit option and extend the reach of Sound Transitās light rail network.
While the upgrades wouldnāt happen all at once, and would only go in as other maintenance work occurs, the proposed concept sets a strong baseline for one of the stateās most dangerous surface highways.
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.
A new lawsuit against the Northwest ICE detention center in Tacoma underscores the abusive conditions detainees face, which has also been alleged in numerous investigative reports. Meanwhile, some local cities are seeking to block ICEās plans to expand detention facilities in the region.
The Pierce Transit Board is considering a ballot measure in November 2026 that would boost funding in order to expand bus service, make routes more frequent, and create new transit connections to light rail. Two transit advocacy leaders make the case for this sorely needed measure.
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.
