More recent posts »
"It's never been more important to have a movement mayor," Seattle mayoral candidate Katie Wilson told supporters Sunday. Multiple speakers portrayed Wilson as a bottom-up, people-powered coalition-builder, who stands in sharp contrast to incumbent Bruce Harrell, who they see as a top-down establishment leader lacking vision for the city.
Recent Posts
SDOT Advances SLU Bus Corridor, Lacking Plan to Route Buses There
The new transit pathway along Harrison and Mercer Streets is intended to provide another option for buses to serve South Lake Union, in line with plans for a Ballard Link light rail station in the neighborhood. But with transit advocates and officials focused on Denny Way, it's not clear when the upgrades would actually be put to use.
Sunday Video: Seoul’s Metro Might Just Be the World’s Best
Seoul consists of a very densely populated region in South Korea with more than 26 million people -- about half the country's...
Op-Ed: The Issues Facing Seattle Public Schools (and Incoming School Board...
Public education advocate Melissa Westbrook breaks down the issues facing Seattle Public Schools as four of seven seats on the school board are up for grabs this election and a new superintendent is about to be installed.
Op-Ed: Ranking Deadliest Cities for Pedestrians and Cyclists in Washington State
Which Washington cities have the deadliest streets and roads may surprise you. Puyallup, Lynnwood and Olympia are by far the most dangerous cities for people walking and biking based on per capita serious crash rate. Travis Merrigan breaks down the data.
Wilson Maintains Lead over Harrell, Two New Polls Indicate
Progressive challenger Katie Wilson continues to have the edge in the highly competitive Seattle mayoral race, despite a large fundraising advantage for corporate-backed incumbent Bruce Harrell. Two polls released this week indicate that Wilson still holds a lead, after winning the primary election by nearly 10 points.
Beleaguered Bainbridge Island Affordable Housing Project Hits Another Snag
A SEPA appeal filed by a former council candidate means LIHI's long-planned 92-unit housing project won't be as competitive for state grants, but the nonprofit developer is optimistic that things can be quickly resolved and get moving again.
Harrell and SPOG Rush Police Contract, Hamstringing Civilian Responders, Accountability Agencies
While the Seattle Police Officers Guild scored a big raise and new benefits, the new labor contract negotiated by Mayor Bruce Harrell will continue to hamper the City’s new civilian crisis response department and its police accountability agencies.
Op-Ed: Why Seattle’s Housing Future Depends on You
The Urbanist and Tech4Housing are hosting a rally and mega-canvass Sunday in Columbia City for Seattle City Council candidates Alexis Mercedes Rinck, Dionne Foster, and Eddie Lin, City Attorney candidate Erika Evans, and mayoral candidate Katie Wilson. Join us to help put the urbanist slate over the top.
Join Us October 11th for Bellevue City Council Mobility Forum
At the forum that The Urbanist is co-hosting on October 11, Bellevue City Council candidates will answer questions about transportation issues and how Bellevue can be a more equitable city.
Join The Urbanist for Campaign Events Ahead of the November Election
The Urbanist is focusing much of our upcoming events programming on getting our endorsed candidates elected. In the coming month, we are hosting panels, canvasses, volunteer trainings, and some social events. Join us!
More events posts »
Support Our Work
The Urbanist is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit. We depend on donations from readers like you to sustain our work. Subscribe as a monthly donor or make a one-time donation to help us grow.
Bellevue Council Contenders Spar Over Housing
The 10 candidates running for seats in the Bellevue City Council discussed how they would tackle the city’s housing and affordability issues in an October 13th forum hosted by the Eastside Housing Equity Coalition. Here's where the candidates stand.
Duvall Growth Plan Faces Challenge After Disregarding New Housing Law
The Washington Department of Commerce's appeal is the first to come directly from state government to enforce 2021's House Bill 1220, which requires cities to target future housing growth by income level. If successful, it will likely prompt a major change in how the city of nearly 9,000 plans for future residents.
Pro-Housing Kirkland Council Candidates Discuss Affordability, Opponents Skip Forum
At an October 8th forum, urbanist-backed Kirkland City Council candidates discussed housing solutions, but none of their opponents showed, clearly ceding housing leadership in the four races. Here's a recap of the solutions candidates laid out.
More Eastside Coverage posts »
Seattle Council Sets the Stage for a Potential Multiplex Boom
The Seattle City Council added a series of series of height and density bonuses for stacked flats as they amended Mayor Bruce Harrell's proposed update to the City's Comprehensive Plan in September. The bonuses could unleash the city's former single family zones to create a stacked flat multiplex boom, ranging up to 12-plexes.
School Board Directors Are Begging Seattle to Allow More Housing
A majority of the Seattle School Board joined the push for additional neighborhood growth centers last week, pointing to a link between additional housing density and stable student enrollment.
Seattle Council Punts on Housing Expansion, Tightens Tree Preservation Rules
Reductions in the size of proposed growth centers and new tree retention rules that could stifle homebuilding were among the dozens of Seattle growth plan amendments approved this week. Council rejected moves to make the plan bolder in a number of areas, fretting over the risk of legal appeals.
More One Seattle Plan posts »
An Audio Recap of The Urbanist’s ‘Future of Seattle Housing’ Panel
Want a deep dive on the latest in Seattle housing policy? The Urbanist has you covered. Check out this recording and transcript of our April housing panel with experts.
Urbanist Reporters Appear on Hacks and Wonks Podcast
The Urbanist's contributing editor Ryan Packer and reporter Amy Sundberg appeared on back-to-back episodes of the Hacks and Wonks podcast this week. Be sure...
Ryan Packer Talks Vision Zero, Traffic Safety on Hacks and Wonks...
Ryan Packer broke down local "Vision Zero" traffic safety campaigns on a recent episode of the Hacks and Wonks podcast.
More podcast episodes »