With several stipulations, Seattle City Council has signed off on the university's plans for up to 6 million square feet of new construction, including high-rises.
A ten-year vision to accommodate another 7,000 students and staff, the UW's expansion plans call for 6 million square feet of new construction. Seattle City Council has approved the plan this month, Daniel Beekman writes, after preliminary approval in September.
The plan includes an "innovation district" made up of "high rises there where students and researchers can partner with companies, governments and nonprofits to start new projects and businesses." Towers as tall as 17 stories may rise in the vicinity of the medical center.
City Council approval came with a stipulation that "the university must have no more than 12 percent of students and employees commute by driving alone by 2028," strengthening the university original proposal of 15 percent.
Another condition previously required the university to build at least 450 units of affordable housing for low-wage employees. The UW subsequently agreed to do so as long as the construction was treated as voluntary. One councilmember, Kshama Sawant, approved the plan but called 450 units a "paltry number when you consider the actual need."
FULL STORY: Seattle City Council approves plan for UW to build 6 million square feet, add high-rise district
Capital Gains Tax Under Consideration in Seattle
A proposed capital gains tax would invest $37 million per year in solving affordable housing and homelessness crises in Seattle.
The Cost of Solving Homelessness in Seattle: $400 Million
It’s "dramatically higher" than any number under discussion, and not even close to what the city will raise with its new tax on large businesses.
Seattle Voters Approve Social Housing Referendum
Voters approved a corporate tax to fund the city’s housing authority despite an opposition campaign funded by Amazon and Microsoft.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
The Five Most-Changed American Cities
A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.
San Diego Adopts First Mobility Master Plan
The plan provides a comprehensive framework for making San Diego’s transportation network more multimodal, accessible, and sustainable.
Housing, Supportive Service Providers Brace for Federal Cuts
Organizations that provide housing assistance are tightening their purse strings and making plans for maintaining operations if federal funding dries up.
Op-Ed: Why an Effective Passenger Rail Network Needs Government Involvement
An outdated rail network that privileges freight won’t be fixed by privatizing Amtrak.
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions