Washington

Seattle Planning Director Pursues Equity Amid a Pro-Growth Agenda
An interview with Seattle Planning Director Sam Assefa for the latest installment of the "Planners Across America" series.

Setting the Toll for New Seattle Tunnel
The Washington State Transportation Commission has begun the planning process to determine the toll schedule for the tunnel that replaces part of the Alaskan Way Viaduct that opens this fall. They must raise six percent of the $3.3 billion cost.

Redfin CEO Laments Frustrated Homebuyers, Low Inventory
The U.S. has become a "landlord nation," says Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman. His analysis: fiercely-defended restrictive local zoning laws have cut off supply, dividing those who own from those who rent.

Seattle's Popular Capitol Hill Neighborhood Getting New Design Guidelines
The new guidelines will allow for new design decisions in a neighborhood undergoing rapid change.

Analysis: Homeless Villages Don't Spur Crime
Homeless villages aren't hotbeds of crime, according to recent analysis. Rather, they can be part of a "crime prevention ecosystem."

Seattle Revamping its Tree Ordinance
A recent study found that Seattle's tree coverage shrank from 2010-2015, but the city has a goal to cover 30 percent of the city with trees by 2037.

Environmental Impact Study Builds the Case for Accessory Dwelling Units in Seattle
Proponents of a new Accessory Dwelling Unit rule in Seattle say the tactics of opponents backfired with this Environmental Impact Study.

Tacoma Link Extension Wins $75 Million in Federal Funding
A federal grant will allow Sound Transit to double the length of Tacoma's light rail system.

Priced Lane or Priced Roadway?
The Pacific Northwest's Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area is studying options to add congestion pricing to one or two interstates.

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 Reaches Compromise on Controversial Tax for Affordable Housing
The Seattle City Council, prompted by pressure from Mayor Jenny Durkan, approved a smaller version of the "Head Tax" that provoked the ire of Amazon.

Planning Work Beginning on Sound Transit's Tacoma Dome Link Extension
Sound Transit is hard at work with a busy planning schedule for several light rail projects in the Tacoma area. A post on The Urbanist focuses on the scoping project for the Tacoma Dome Link extension.

Zoned Out: Seattle Prioritizes Single-Family Residential
In Seattle, most (88 percent) of the city's new housing is being developed in a few small, already dense areas around the city. Most of the city is reserved for single-family housing.

Amazon, Seattle Go to War Over Proposed Tax
Amazon, a company with cities throwing money at its feet all over the country, has decided to halt construction on an expansion in its hometown over a proposed "head tax."

Sound Transit Plan Includes 43 Miles of Bus Rapid Transit for Greater Seattle
Bus Rapid Transit along I-405 and SR-522 will b completed by 2024 if plan is approved and built on schedule.

New Surplus Land Policy to Supplement Sound Transit's Big Investments
Inclusive transit oriented development is a top priority with Sound Transit's new surplus land policy.

Vancouver Is 'True North' for Seattle Bike Lane Advocates
In Seattle, securing every new bike lane seems like a "tooth and nail" fight. But across a border to the north, vigorous initial opposition melted away as a connected system took shape.

How Mobile Homes Fill a 'Critical Gap' in Affordable Housing
Cities across America have a housing crisis on their hands—should they be talking more about trailer parks?

Opinion: A Surprising New Foe in the War Against Pedestrians
Allowing bikes on sidewalks pits cyclists against pedestrians, an advocate argues.
Getting the Politics of Cordon Tolling Right
With Mayor Jenny Durkan's announcement that Seattle will pursue cordon area congestion pricing coming five days after New York dropped its plan, a Washington State pro-business publication looks at the difficulties in getting the politics right.
Pagination
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