Washington

Facing a transportation funding shortage, a county supervisor in Washington has proposed letting some roadways get more crowded and congested to save the money that would have been spent to improve them -- money the county doesn't have.

Seattle's public participation process has served as an example for cities across the globe, but the former city official who was instrumental in creating that reputation says the city's current leadership has moved away from that model.

A formerly crime-ridden public housing project has been redeveloped as a HUD Hope VI project. Many see as a successful turnaround, bringing in subsidized renters and buyers as well as market-rate homeowners.

A rash of illegal tree cutting in Seattle has prompted local officials to act on the city's decreasing amount of trees and canopy cover. Tree-planting efforts hope to build the canopy back from less than its current city coverage of less than 20%.

Plans call for redeveloping the north parking lot of the Seattle Seahawks stadium into a new mixed-use development that will add 400 housing units to the historic district and better link the neighborhood with adjoining areas.

In both the US and the UK, local governments are looking to offer wireless internet access in public spaces as a way to get more people out on the streets and near businesses. But they are carefully considering the idea's sustainability.

This article from The Seattle Times takes a look at the long-term financing schedule associated with extending the region's light rail system.

Will Washington voters be willing to pay $125 per year per household for 50 miles of light rail extensions, part of Sound Transit's "Roads & Transit" ballot measure?

King County Metro plans to add 500 new hybrid buses to its fleet -- increasing service by nearly a third.

A former area of low-income housing has been redeveloped as a New Urbanist neighborhood in Seattle. The housing stock has almost doubled -- and nearly 40% of it is priced for very low income families.

Crews will soon begin installing metered parking on many of the city's free curbside parking spaces in an effort to move residents away from private cars.

Seattle-based affordable housing developers use the city's green building standards and grant programs to get many affordable housing projects started in the city and beyond.

Snohomish County, Wash., officials are tussling with local city governments and fire-department officials over regulation of so-called "air condo" developments sprouting in the county's unincorporated areas.

Rising gas prices have caused a noticeable increase in public transit ridership in Seattle. The rising demand has fueled transit officials to push for service expansion.

Seattle residents are protesting a 600,000 square foot retail development set to move into the city's historic Little Saigon neighborhood. They fear that the character of the neighborhood will be erased by the major chain retailers on tap to move in.

The former HUD secretary urges the Emerald City to make efficient use of land and increase densities, while advocating for the introduction of tax-increment financing and inclusionary zoning.

The city is revisiting its affordable housing programs, which currently do little to help moderate-income residents who are increasingly priced out of homeownership.

Widespread development in Washington has changed the landscape of the state from forests to houses. Experts are predicting a further loss of more than 300,000 acres of forests within the next several years.

Plans to use fees charged to developers for building parks and open spaces in Seattle have been abandoned.

Cyclists in Seattle are looking forward to the upcoming release of the city's Bicycle Master Plan, which will be open for public comment soon. The plan is expected to include more than 200 miles of bike lanes, up from 25 miles currently available.