Seattle

Washington

Eviction Moratorium Spurs Passionate Debate in Seattle

Renter protections are a contentious issue, but that only increases the need for honest and transparent debate.

October 5, 2021 - Crosscut

Sound Transit Seattle

The Northgate Link Extension Is Great, But Voters Want More

A recent survey of Seattle voters finds widespread support for the continued expansion of the Link light rail system in Seattle.

October 3, 2021 - Seattle Transit Blog

A rendering showing a planned freeway improvement project that will create a "lid" over State Route 520 for use as public open space.

Seattle Freeway Lid Expected by 2030

When complete, the SR 520 Montlake Project will reorganize the street grid to provide new connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists.

September 29, 2021 - Capitol Hill Seattle Blog

Seattle Transit

Northgate Link Extension—Opening This Weekend—Expected to Transform Seattle in More Ways Than One

The long awaited Northgate Link Extension, which will connect rapidly changing neighborhoods in North Seattle to downtown in 14 minutes, will open to the public on Saturday, October 2.

September 28, 2021 - The Seattle Times

Seattle Transit

Sound Transit To Receive $3.84 Billion in Federal Loans

The funding will support the financing of six projects, including the Downtown Redmond Link Extension.

September 23, 2021 - U.S. Department Of Transportation

Commute

Long Commutes in Seattle Fell Sharply During the Pandemic

The number of people commuting 20 minutes or more each way dropped by close to half a million, while short commutes rose slightly.

September 20, 2021 - Seattle Times

Rendering of Marion Street bridge

Renderings Show Seattle Waterfront's Two New Pedestrian Bridges

The Marion Street and Union Street bridges showcase two vastly different designs for improving pedestrian access.

September 15, 2021 - The Urbanist

City Kids

Seattle Accepting Proposals for Neighborhood Recovery Fund Projects

The fund will invest $6 million in community-led projects aimed at public space activation, digital equity, and other recovery strategies.

September 3, 2021 - The Urbanist

Bus Stop and Bike Lane

As Heat Waves Become More Common, Bus Shelters Are Needed to Keep Transit Riders Onboard

As climate change brings prolonged, intense heat waves to cities once associated with rain and cold weather will have to attend to the lack of shelter provided to bus and transit riders.

August 30, 2021 - The Seattle Times

Sound Transit train

Sound Transit Facing Major Budget Shortfall for Light Rail Projects

Since voters approved a measure expanding Seattle's light rail network, construction and land costs have soared, adding billions to the projected price tag.

July 28, 2021 - Seattle Times

Seattle

Seattle Faith Leaders Call Density Bonus Amendment a 'Poison Pill'

An amendment increasing affordability requirements to 60% for housing built on church-owned property has come under fire from Black church leaders who call it a death knell for many affordable housing projects.

July 19, 2021 - The Urbanist

Seattle Transit

$158 Million in American Rescue Plan Funding Going to Seattle-Area Light Rail Projects

New Capital Investment Grant funding was announced earlier this month.

July 19, 2021 - Kent Reporter

Victoria, British Columbia

Opinion: Bring Back the Neighborhood Corner Store

A call for zoning reforms that legalize commercial buildings in residential neighborhoods in Seattle—a building type and land use that has fallen out of favor all over the United States.

July 11, 2021 - The Seattle Times

Flood waters overwhelm a park, full of empty benches, on a sunny day.

Detroit Floods as the Pacific Northwest Bakes: It's Time to Shift the Conversation About Climate Change

The record-breaking heatwave in the Pacific Northwest has mostly been depicted in the media by kids running through fountains, but images of flooded highways and stranded vehicles in Detroit tell a more accurate story of climate change.

June 30, 2021 - Daily Detroit

Seattle

Seattle Extends Eviction Moratorium, Struggles to Distribute Rental Assistance

The city's mayor announced an extension to the city's eviction moratorium as millions in emergency rental assistance remain undisbursed.

June 29, 2021 - The Seattle Times

City Kids

The 5 Worst Streets in Seattle

Want to know which streets are most likely to produce a negative emotional response among Seattle transportation safety advocates? Read on.

June 13, 2021 - The Stanger

Mt. Rainier

2020 Population Growth Rates for the 50 Biggest U.S. Cities

The Census Bureau released new data on May 27 that includes the first four months of the pandemic. Seattle tops the growth rate at 2.2% from July 1, 2019, to July 1, 2020, while Baltimore and San Francisco land at the bottom with -1.4%.

June 4, 2021 - The Seattle Times

Downtown Seattle

I-5 Widening Kicks Off in Downtown Seattle

Congestion relief is promised as the Washington Department of Transportation begins to rework the existing I-5 roadway in Downtown Seattle to mitigate a stretch of freeway with a reputation as the state's worst bottleneck.

May 18, 2021 - The Seattle Times

Mount Rainier

Office Demand in Seattle Suddenly Back and Bigger Than Ever

The fortunes of commercial real estate in Seattle have completely reversed since February, according to a new analysis.

May 10, 2021 - The Seattle Times

Bus Stop and Bike Lane

U.S. Cities Reexamine the Discriminatory Effects of Bike Helmet Laws

Data from cities across the country show that bike helmet laws are enforced more aggressively in communities of color.

April 26, 2021 - The Guardian

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HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.