This favorable profile of Jack McCullough, a Seattle lawyer representing developers, highlights his role as a deal-maker. Recent agreements between his clients and Mayor Ed Murray may preserve a path forward for affordable housing.
In the midst of a development and tech boom, Seattle faces the specter of a San Francisco-like future. According to an article by Bob Young, "Mayor Ed Murray wanted a strategy to keep Seattle housing from becoming too expensive. He knew it had to go through Jack McCullough."
As one of the region's top land use lawyers, McCullough represents developers who want to minimize city fees on their projects. The article, an admittedly laudatory piece on McCullough, centers on "a compromise Murray called the 'Grand Bargain.' The city would pull back some of its proposed mandatory fees on development while still moving toward its goal; McCullough would holster his lawsuit challenging the city's system of collecting fees from developers for affordable housing and another one in the works."
The deal McCullough brokered may preserve robust development as well as a conduit for affordable housing. From the article: "But McCullough, whose parents were a laborer and secretary, knows not everyone is doing so well, and festering social problems aren't in the interest of his clients. He saw the 'ghost of Seattle's future,' he said, and it was San Francisco."
Read the full story: The low-key lawyer behind Seattle’s ‘Grand Bargain’ on affordable housing
San Francisco’s Housing Woes: How the Past Informs the Present
A zoning history dating back to the 19th century still has significant impacts on the city’s housing in the present day.
Mandatory Housing Affordability Details Released in Seattle
Seattle has released the long-awaited environmental impact statement for the Mandatory Housing Affordability program—a final step in the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda process launched by former Mayor Ed Murray.
How Seattle Houses the People Who Need it Most
The Seattle Weekly explores the question of how Seattle, a quickly growing and desirable city, is working to ensure housing options for its low-income residents.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion
Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.
San Diego may kill one-third of its bus routes as budget crisis looms
Under the city's proposed plan, 21% of Metropolitan Transit System riders would lose access to transit services.
Philadelphia to invest $2 billion into upgrading city airports as PHL places last in customer satisfaction
Modernizations to Philadelphia's airports will include baggage system upgrades and a new automated parking garage guidance system.
The LA housing policies making developers turn away from the city
Despite LA’s housing shortage, developers say the city’s "mansion-tax" and pandemic-era policies make it an unappealing place to build housing.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
KFH Group Inc.
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello