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Reposted by The Urbanist

Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · 9h

You may remember that group from such other terrible ideas as, "we should build four new cities in Washington on former greenfield sites."
www.kuow.org/stories/paci...

Pacific Northwest needs 4 new cities on undeveloped land, report says

Imagine new high rises – above the Pacific Northwest’s small communities like Burlington and Centralia. That may sound far-fetched, but it might be necessary if we’re going to accommodate all the peop...

www.kuow.org

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Reposted by The Urbanist

Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · 9h

I wasn't paying attention to this plan because our transportation plans (especially statewide plans) always just go onto a shelf, but this idea just got lifted from Christine Gregoire's Cascadia Innovation Corridor group.
connectcascadia.com/a-grand-boul...

Report: A Grand Boulevard Housing Solution for Cascadia

“While there is no easy solution or quick fix, Grand Boulevards can be a key strategy along with policies to provide additional financing support, tax…“

connectcascadia.com

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Reposted by The Urbanist

Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · 9h

I'm really interested to know exactly how "corridor urbanism", which is another name for focusing housing growth on our widest, loudest, and dirtiest arterial streets so other areas don't have to change, got literally baked into Washington's statewide transportation plan.

Reimagining Growth: Corridor Urbanism
Washington state is growing fast. By 2050, our urban cores and rural communities will experience
demographic and economic shifts that demand a new model of development. This plan integrates
housing and land use planning with transportation strategies to encourage growth along key
transportation corridors with mixed-use, mixed-income housing within walking distance of highcapacity transit. It suggests reformed zoning to encourage flexible, mid-scale development that
matches community context and transportation capacity. It offers strategies to streamline development
and lower development costs, which promote affordability.
By linking where people live, work, and shop with how they move, we can reduce commute times, lower
emissions, and support vibrant, walkable neighborhoods. This approach offers substantial potential
benefits: increased housing density, reduced reliance on single-occupancy vehicles, and enhanced
transit accessibility. Environmental advantages include decreased energy and water consumption
and lower carbon emissions. Studies estimate that, compared with traditional suburban development,
dwellings in mixed-income and mixed-use developments consume 39% less energy and 62% less
water. Driving is reduced by 55%, and household costs by 53%. These developments can significantly
boost the local tax base through increased property values.11 By strategically redeveloping existing
corridors, we can create more sustainable, equitable, and economically vibrant communities, alleviating
transportation pressures and fostering responsible urban growth.

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Reposted by The Urbanist

Guy Oron @guyoron.net · 10h

NEW: In the hotly contested Seattle mayoral race, homelessness has become a fault line. Challenger Katie Wilson criticizes incumbent Bruce Harrell’s record, which includes carrying out more than 6,000 sweeps of homeless encampments.
Read my full article in @boltsmag.org:
boltsmag.org/seattle-mayo...

In Seattle Mayoral Race, Tensions Between Crackdown and Compassion on Homelessness - Bolts

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has ramped up sweeps of homeless encampments in his first term. In his reelection bid, he faces a progressive challenger who wants to curb them.

boltsmag.org

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The Urbanist @theurbanist.org · 15h

🚊 ➡️ ✈️

Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · 16h

This is a good add at Westlake, Sound Transit.

Where are you headed? Airport! Follow me stickers on the floor at Westlake

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The Urbanist @theurbanist.org · 19h

“Mestas is optimistic that the work her team is doing will be able to get the entire ST3 program into a more affordable space — if the board can make a decision and stick with it.”

The Urbanist @theurbanist.org · 1d

Since West Seattle and Ballard Link were approved in 2016, the two projects have been caught in a perfect storm of factors that led to eye-popping cost estimates. While the path forward looks bleak, there are signs that ST is learning from its mistakes.

Story: www.theurbanist.org/2025/10/10/h...

How Ballard and West Seattle Light Rail Became a $30 Billion Undertaking » The Urbanist

# Since voters approved West Seattle and Ballard Link in 2016, the two projects have been caught in a perfect storm of factors that led to the eye-popping cost estimates that we have today. While the ...

www.theurbanist.org

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The Urbanist @theurbanist.org · 19h

“The move means Everett Transit’s Route 12, a route that runs between the Everett Mall and Seaway Transit Center near Boeing, will be free to riders through March 2026.” www.heraldnet.com/news/everett...

Everett mayor makes bus route free following Fred Meyer closure | HeraldNet.com

Everett Transit’s Route 12 will be free for six months. A 2022 change to city law gave the mayor power to provide temporary fare-free service.

www.heraldnet.com

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The Urbanist @theurbanist.org · 19h

“About a dozen ‘Stay Out of Drug Areas,’ known as SODA zones cover a broad area of the city primarily along some of Everett’s busiest roads…The newest SODA zone could be located along Colby Ave between Pacific Ave and 36th St, just south of Everett’s downtown core.”
www.heraldnet.com/news/everett...

Everett may add new ‘Stay Out of Drug Area’ near downtown | HeraldNet.com

Courts can issue orders preventing people accused or convicted of drug crimes from entering the areas, known as SODA zones.

www.heraldnet.com

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The Urbanist @theurbanist.org · 19h

“The law, colloquially referred to as ‘no sit, no lie,’ prohibits people from sitting or lying down in much of the city’s downtown core and bans individuals from giving out food, water or supplies to others in those areas without a permit.” www.heraldnet.com/news/everett...

Everett council to consider extending ‘no sit, no lie’ law | HeraldNet.com

The law allowing the city to create zones that ban sitting or lying down on public property will sunset at the end of the year unless the council extends it.

www.heraldnet.com

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The Urbanist @theurbanist.org · 20h

“‘…not knowing field conditions, site conditions, all those things,’ Terri Mestas, Sound Transit’s Deputy CEO for Megaproject Delivery, told The Urbanist. ‘So a very high-level cost was derived.’”

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The Urbanist @theurbanist.org · 20h

“‘When we began looking at ST3 back in 2016, as you can imagine, there was no design development at that point in time, a very high level of estimating was used, based on, what probably was a very kind of simplistic view of the alignment…’”

The Urbanist @theurbanist.org · 1d

Since West Seattle and Ballard Link were approved in 2016, the two projects have been caught in a perfect storm of factors that led to eye-popping cost estimates. While the path forward looks bleak, there are signs that ST is learning from its mistakes.

Story: www.theurbanist.org/2025/10/10/h...

How Ballard and West Seattle Light Rail Became a $30 Billion Undertaking » The Urbanist

# Since voters approved West Seattle and Ballard Link in 2016, the two projects have been caught in a perfect storm of factors that led to the eye-popping cost estimates that we have today. While the ...

www.theurbanist.org

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The Urbanist @theurbanist.org · 21h

“Directly on the heels of Sound Transit announcing the latest ST3 cost estimates, Balducci put forward an idea that could help to address those costs: taking a second look at the need to build a second light rail tunnel through Downtown Seattle as part of Ballard Link.”

The Urbanist @theurbanist.org · 1d

Since West Seattle and Ballard Link were approved in 2016, the two projects have been caught in a perfect storm of factors that led to eye-popping cost estimates. While the path forward looks bleak, there are signs that ST is learning from its mistakes.

Story: www.theurbanist.org/2025/10/10/h...

How Ballard and West Seattle Light Rail Became a $30 Billion Undertaking » The Urbanist

# Since voters approved West Seattle and Ballard Link in 2016, the two projects have been caught in a perfect storm of factors that led to the eye-popping cost estimates that we have today. While the ...

www.theurbanist.org

1 1 14

The Urbanist @theurbanist.org · 1d

My Oh My!!! 🔱 🔱 🔱 www.mlb.com/mariners/new...

After 15 scintillating innings, Mariners reach first ALCS since 2001

SEATTLE -- For a starved fanbase that specializes in stress, the Mariners gave their faithful a dynamite dose on Friday night. But in the best way possible. Jorge Polanco ripped a walk-off single thro...

www.mlb.com

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The Urbanist @theurbanist.org · 1d

“If you’re only approving a one- to three-percent design, and then empowering a bunch of people with no exposure to the cost, no exposure to electoral consequences, you’re really setting up yourself for a lot delay, a lot of bad process.”

The Urbanist @theurbanist.org · 1d

Since West Seattle and Ballard Link were approved in 2016, the two projects have been caught in a perfect storm of factors that led to eye-popping cost estimates. While the path forward looks bleak, there are signs that ST is learning from its mistakes.

Story: www.theurbanist.org/2025/10/10/h...

How Ballard and West Seattle Light Rail Became a $30 Billion Undertaking » The Urbanist

# Since voters approved West Seattle and Ballard Link in 2016, the two projects have been caught in a perfect storm of factors that led to the eye-popping cost estimates that we have today. While the ...

www.theurbanist.org

2 2 20

Reposted by The Urbanist

Erica C. Barnett @ericacbarnett.bsky.social · 2d

Reversing Decision, SPD Removes Controversial Captain Tietjen from East Precinct

Police Chief Shon Barnes blamed PubliCola's story, "internal leaks," and "a lack of comprehensive input" from others for the controversy.

publicola.com/2025/10/09/r...

Reversing Decision, SPD Removes Controversial Captain Tietjen from East Precinct - PubliCola

By Erica C. Barnett Two days after PubliCola exclusively reported that Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes had promoted controversial police…

publicola.com

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The Urbanist @theurbanist.org · 1d

“You should not put before the voters a number and an alignment with any expectation that those two things are going to be the final product, because geotechnical issues emerge, property issues emerge, sensitive area issues emerge, that all change the calculus of what we end up building.”

The Urbanist @theurbanist.org · 1d

Since West Seattle and Ballard Link were approved in 2016, the two projects have been caught in a perfect storm of factors that led to eye-popping cost estimates. While the path forward looks bleak, there are signs that ST is learning from its mistakes.

Story: www.theurbanist.org/2025/10/10/h...

How Ballard and West Seattle Light Rail Became a $30 Billion Undertaking » The Urbanist

# Since voters approved West Seattle and Ballard Link in 2016, the two projects have been caught in a perfect storm of factors that led to the eye-popping cost estimates that we have today. While the ...

www.theurbanist.org

3 1 10

Reposted by The Urbanist

Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · 1d

If you're still wondering how the hell we got to a staggering $30 billion price tag to build light rail to both West Seattle and Ballard, I've got you covered.
www.theurbanist.org/2025/10/10/h...

How Ballard and West Seattle Light Rail Became a $30 Billion Undertaking » The Urbanist

# Since voters approved West Seattle and Ballard Link in 2016, the two projects have been caught in a perfect storm of factors that led to the eye-popping cost estimates that we have today. While the ...

www.theurbanist.org

4 19 110

The Urbanist @theurbanist.org · 1d

🦒 🐼 🦄 🐸 🪩

Jason❌ @gizmosspace.bsky.social · 1d

This is awesome.

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The Urbanist @theurbanist.org · 1d

Homebuilders argue that the current 'P6' version of MFTE drove rents down too much and added onerous reporting requirements that are increasingly pushing landlords away from the (voluntary) program. They contend the City's proposed 'P7' changes will help address that problem.

P3 (2008) saw 1,013 MFTE unit applications approved, P4 (2011) saw 3,007 MFTE units approved, P5 (2015) saw 2,500 units approved, and P6 (2019) saw 2,045 units approved. A further 463 units applied for a P6 extension. The first two iterations of the program, which dates back to 1998, have a combined 244 MFTE units approved.

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The Urbanist @theurbanist.org · 1d

"West Seattle Link’s on-paper completion date of 2032 risks being pushed farther back into the future yet again by Sound Transit’s financial reset, as does Ballard Link’s revised 2039 date."

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The Urbanist @theurbanist.org · 1d

"Despite initial promises to use bonding to accelerate project timelines and build West Seattle Link by 2030 and Ballard Link by 2035, those completion dates have slipped considerably."

The Urbanist @theurbanist.org · 1d

Since West Seattle and Ballard Link were approved in 2016, the two projects have been caught in a perfect storm of factors that led to eye-popping cost estimates. While the path forward looks bleak, there are signs that ST is learning from its mistakes.

Story: www.theurbanist.org/2025/10/10/h...

How Ballard and West Seattle Light Rail Became a $30 Billion Undertaking » The Urbanist

# Since voters approved West Seattle and Ballard Link in 2016, the two projects have been caught in a perfect storm of factors that led to the eye-popping cost estimates that we have today. While the ...

www.theurbanist.org

1 2 13

The Urbanist @theurbanist.org · 1d

Siri, what is a NIMBY?

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 2d

Ciattarelli: "We've got a severe overdevelopment crisis in our suburban communities because of the Democrats' idea of social engineering."

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The Urbanist @theurbanist.org · 1d

Since West Seattle and Ballard Link were approved in 2016, the two projects have been caught in a perfect storm of factors that led to eye-popping cost estimates. While the path forward looks bleak, there are signs that ST is learning from its mistakes.

Story: www.theurbanist.org/2025/10/10/h...

How Ballard and West Seattle Light Rail Became a $30 Billion Undertaking » The Urbanist

# Since voters approved West Seattle and Ballard Link in 2016, the two projects have been caught in a perfect storm of factors that led to the eye-popping cost estimates that we have today. While the ...

www.theurbanist.org

1 1 20

Reposted by The Urbanist

Governor Gavin Newsom @governor.ca.gov · 1d

I just approved major pieces of legislation to keep building more affordable housing.

Whether it's turning empty office buildings into residential spaces or building more homes near public transportation, we're doing all we can to lower the price to realize the California Dream.

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The Urbanist @theurbanist.org · 1d

“When we invest in housing, we’re investing in people — their chance to build a future, raise a family, and be part of a community.”

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