Seattle's Reformist Legacy

The 1967 group "Choose an Effective City Council" (CHECC) reshaped Seattle city politics just in time to reshape its physical growth as well.

1 minute read

May 6, 2004, 10:00 AM PDT

By Erin Clark


"In the mid-1960s, the Emerald City--then known as the Queen City--was a very provincial town. Chafing at its backwardness was a group Lyndon Johnson would have labeled 'those Harvards.' They were young professionals, mainly lawyers, who migrated here from the East, or came home after college. They found much with which to be impatient. 'Our Musty Crusty City Council,' as it was described in a Seattle Magazine headline, balked at big things like open housing legislation. It resisted small things, too: The council swatted down a proposal for sidewalk cafes on grounds the food would attract flies." What followed was the successful election of progressive-era councilmembers who quashed a number of proposed transportation and other projects that have made Seattle the city that it is today.

Thanks to Erin Clark

Wednesday, May 5, 2004 in The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 18, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of Shirley Chisholm Village four-story housing development with person biking in front.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning

SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

June 8, 2025 - Fast Company

Yellow single-seat Japanese electric vehicle drivign down road.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs

The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

June 6, 2025 - PC Magazine

SMall backyard cottage ADU in San Diego, California.

San Diego Votes to Rein in “Towering” ADUs

City council voted to limit the number of units in accessory buildings to six — after confronting backyard developments of up to 100 units behind a single family home.

June 18 - NBC San Diego

Large tower under construction with crane with American and Texas flags in downtown Austin, Texas against sunset sky.

Texas Legislature’s Surprising Pro-Housing Swing

Smaller homes on smaller lots, office to apartment conversions, and 40% less say for NIMBYs, vote state lawmakers.

June 18 - The Texas Tribune

Red brick five-story multifamily housing building in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Even Edmonton Wants Single Staircase Buildings

Canada's second most affordable major city joins those angling to nix the requirement for two staircases in multi-family buildings.

June 18 - Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)