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Recent Posts

Ibsen and Palmer Prevail in Tacoma, Pledging Housing, Safe Streets Push

Tacoma’s recent election elevated two urbanist-backed progressives, which could buoy efforts to expand housing, roll out street safety upgrades, and improve transit. The Urbanist chatted with Tacoma Mayor-Elect Anders Ibsen and incoming Councilmember Latasha Palmer about their plans.

Katie Wilson’s Transition Team Features Mix of Advocates and Insiders

Seattle Mayor-Elect Katie Wilson announced her transition leadership team earlier this week, which features a mix of advocates and insiders. Wilson has reiterated a bold progressive agenda, but a pragmatic approach to achieve it.
A tower-like metal sculpture crowns Kirkland's Marina Park, with a few pedestrians walking on the path along its edge. The marina and Moss Bay is in the distance.

Kirkland Voters Maintain the City’s Course, Rejecting Anti-Growth Push

Despite significant spending to steer the Kirkland City Council toward a more slow growth direction, voters elected progressives in three out of four races. In the end, the election seemed to show most Kirkland residents are happy with the city's current direction.

Sound Transit 2 Line Testing Enters a New, More Visible Phase

Light rail riders will see out-of-service trains running between International District-Chinatown and Lynnwood as the next major milestone for testing on the full 2 Line.
Harrell stands at a lectern with the Seattle City Seal and the skyline visible behind him from a midrise rooftop.

Katie Wilson to Inherit Seattle’s Budget Woes

Katie Wilson may have won the mayoral election, but her challenges are just beginning. Outgoing Mayor Bruce Harrell is leaving a budget mess behind him.
A barren trenched has an access road on the city but empty field down the middle with bridges spanning the trench to connect the street grid.

Book Review: How a Highway Map Wrecked Baltimore

Road to Nowhere author Emily Lieb is speaking at Elliott Bay Books on November 20. Here's a sneak peek at her book, which covers the plight of the Rosemont neighborhood of West Baltimore, as it was victimized by grand highway schemes.

The ‘Structural Change’ About to Make New Housing More Expensive in Seattle

As Seattle enters an era where fewer builders are lining up to build office towers and residential skyscrapers, the city's permit department is scrambling to catch up. Despite last-minute concerns raised Monday around a 18% permit fee increase, that change is poised to take effect next year.
An area image of a leafy lakefront Clyde Hill neighborhood

Housing Emergency? Clyde Hill Shuts the Door to Most Middle Housing

Already under scrutiny for potential violations of state housing law, the city of Clyde Hill's new restrictions make its middle housing code one of the most restrictive in the state.