Washington

A Thorough, Mixed Review for a New Protected Bike Lane in Seattle
So many highly anticipated bike facilities finally deliver only to fall short of real game changing status. Seattle provides the latest example of the phenomenon in the wild.

$4.2 Billion in Washington State Transportation Funding Rescued by the Courts
The Washington Supreme Court struck down an initiative that would have cost state and local governments an estimated $4.2 billion in transportation funding.

Trump Administration Puts Covid Funding at Risk for Transit in 'Anarchist Jurisdictions'
A September 2 memo by the Trump administration warned of punitive actions against New York City, Seattle, Portland, and Washington, D.C. A recently announced federal funding opportunity makes good on the threat.

Starting Today: The Idaho Stop Is Legal in Washington State
A law passed in March allowing people on bikes to treat stop signs as yield signs when conditions permit takes effect today in Washington State.

Looking Ahead and Way Back as the U.S. Passes 200,000 Coronavirus Deaths
It's been eight months since the first confirmed infection from the novel coronavirus in Washington state. As deadly as COVID-19 is, Americans should reflect when 200,000 died in a single month from a far deadlier virus 102 years ago.

An Online Portal for Designing Accessory Dwelling Units
The ADUniverse website offers pre-approved designs for homeowners who want to add Accessory Dwelling Units on properties in Seattle.

Coronavirus College Clusters Stress Town and Gown Relationship
College towns that have been observing public health guidelines and seen relatively few COVID-19 cases are now seeing infections spike as young people return to take classes. The New York Times has been tracking cases in colleges and college towns.

Sound Transit Centers Transit-Dependent Communities in 2021 Service Changes
With the Northgate link light rail expansion project nearing completion and the effects of the pandemic lingering, Sound Transit will change its bus routes in 2021. The transit authority focuses on equity in plotting the route changes.

States Use CARES Act Funds to Keep Renters Afloat
More than a dozen states are using Community Development Block Grant funding from the CARES Act to fund emergency rental and mortgage assistance programs.
The First Affordable High Rise in 50 Years Set to Break Ground in Seattle
Philanthropic giving is providing a light in the dark of the economic downturn.

East Link Light Rail Plans Provoke Controversy in Seattle Suburb
A proposal to link local and regional buses with the East Link light rail expansion in Mercer Island, already under construction, threatens to boil over into the courtroom.

How to Produce Equitable Pedestrian Plans
The majority of pedestrian master plans consider how to make equitable walking infrastructure. Less than half of plans implement strategies to address the fact that people of color are disproportionately represented in pedestrian fatalities.

Rethinking the Indelible Lines of Subdivision
The subdivision process imposes rules that result in a lack flexibility, convoluted urban design, and diced up landscapes.

Bus Rapid Transit Plan Taking Shape in Seattle
The Madison Bus Rapid Transit LIne, also known as the RapidRide G Line, got a green light from federal authorities to move forward in the grant funding process.

Planning for an Equitable Economic Recovery
The Seattle Planning Commission recently published a report titled "A Racially Equitable and Resilient Recovery."

Washington State Having a 'Dam-Busting Summer'
Two dams have been removed from watersheds in Washington State in as many months.

Washington Dam Removal Project Required Lots of Work, Expected to Deliver Big Benefits
It took years of work to remove a dam owned by the city of Bellingham in Washington State, but for wildlife in the area, the project is definitely worth the effort.

Seattle-to-Spokane Intercity Rail Proposal Studied
Washington State planners have completed a feasibility study into the proposed East-West Passenger Rail System for Washington State.

COVID-19: What About Those Protests?
While not conclusive, evidence suggests that relatively few transmissions of the coronavirus occurred during the widespread protests that followed the death of George Floyd due to the outdoor settings, being in motion and wearing of masks.

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.
Pagination
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.
Borough of Carlisle
Smith Gee Studio
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)