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Ryan Packer

@typewriteralley.bsky.social

10K followers 420 following 6.4K posts

Pedestrian Reporting at The Urbanist as Contributing Editor Transportation advocate Probably covering a random public meeting (they-them) 📍Puget Sound https://www.patreon.com/typewriteralley

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Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · Nov 24

Hi new followers-
Several years ago I decided to start documenting how regularly people in my city of Seattle were getting hurt while trying to get around via walking or biking, in as close to real-time as possible.

In response to consistent feedback I'm going to continue on this platform.

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Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · 1h

Most people don't know whether their issue requires a budget amendment...it's a tall order to expect most people to know whether an issue is a budget issue at all. That's kinda your whole job.

Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · 1h

Separate from the direct issue being discussed in this story...does Rob Saka's office operate under the assumption that it's the public's job to bring in budget amendment requests?
westseattleblog.com/2025/10/vide...

From District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka‘s office, district director Erik Schmidt was also in attendance. He emphasized that getting funding for either increased patrols or the shelter would require the public to make budget requests directly to the councilmember’s office. But, he said, none had come in. “Anyone can bring an ask to the office, but no one has so far.” Schmidt said that Councilmember Saka’s office would be receptive to anyone who would like to do so. He also said that recently, both he and Saka had asked for more emphasis patrols in the area for all hours of the day.

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Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · 12h

I would be interested to read that story.

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Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · 14h

No.

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Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · 14h

Which TV news station do you think will be calling this a $72 million bike lane?

Gordon Padelford @gordonofseattle.bsky.social · 16h

It’s open and it’s awesome! 🍾

Got to check it out on opening day with Don from West Seattle Bike Connections who is one of the original advocates for this project, @bestsidecycling.com, @qagggy.bsky.social , and @joshholland.bsky.social . Go see for yourself!

Don and Hanoch biking on new path with truck in the background

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Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · 15h

I wasn't cool enough to snag an invite, apparently.

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Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · 16h

I love Capitol Hill.

A garbage can has art plastered on it, a prehistoric scene with featuring a wooly mammoth. It reads: "Meanwhile 12,600 years ago...in the Pleistocene epoch!"

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Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · 19h

Not actually seeing a different future for Seattle's streetcar, at least the SLU line, without someone stepping in with a clear vision for the future of the network.

Barred in DC @barredindc.bsky.social · 1d

Rachel Weiner of the Post confirms that the DC Streetcar will shutter in 5 months, in March, about a year earlier than expected because DC budget cuts + early termination of contract costs.

Operational for a decade, tracks were laid back in 2007.

wapo.st/4q3VtNf

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Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · 20h

Too many of our city's steps forward have an event like this at their inception.

Gordon Padelford @gordonofseattle.bsky.social · 21h

It has been 12 years since Lance David died biking to work here. I'll be thinking about him when I ride this safer route later today.

His tragic death spurred local West Seattle advocates to demand change, and to his credit Mayor Mike McGinn started this project — 3 mayors later it's finally done.

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Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · 22h

They let MassTransitNow.com expire btw, big fumble.

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Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · 23h

Something I absolutely did not remember was Rick Steves co-authoring the pro statement in the voter's guide for Sound Transit 3.

Statement in favor
Yes on Proposition 1: Rail Connecting
Our Region
Growth is a fact: Our region adds 230 people every day. Proposition 1
gives you the choice to get out of daily gridlock. One light rail line can
carry 16,000 people per hour; a general-purpose freeway lane moves
just 2,000 cars. Fast, frequent rail gets you where you need to be, on
time, every time.
Submitted by: Dow Constantine,
Christine Gregoire, Rick Steves
www.MassTransitNow.com

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Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · 23h

This is the design for the unfunded next segment.

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Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · 23h

No connecting projects funded right now.

Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · 23h

This project has been moving forward since 2022. The appellant, Dawn Janow, says the process has been "rushed." Janow came in third place this past August in a race for an open council seat on a platform of "limiting upzoning."

When the city’s policy governing the development of 625 Winslow Way, ordinance No. 2025-21, was first reviewed through SEPA, it received a “Determination of Nonsignificance” from the city planning department. That meant the project was unlikely to have adverse environmental impacts, and that the city was not required to conduct an Environmental Impact Statement for the site.

But that process felt “rushed,” Janow said, and many community members felt their concerns were going unheard, particularly regarding groundwater management. It’s unclear how long the appeal process will take; it’s up to the Bainbridge Island Hearing Examiner to establish a schedule.

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Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · 23h

That doesn't mean you can't file an appeal.

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Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · 23h

Background: www.theurbanist.org/2025/08/18/s...

‘Save the Corner’ Campaign Targets 92 Affordable Homes on Bainbridge Island » The Urbanist

# Despite the fact that LIHI's proposed affordable housing project has been advancing for nearly three years, public opposition has kicked up in recent weeks. The new campaign contends that such a pri...

www.theurbanist.org

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Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · 23h

Update on Bainbridge Island's beleaguered affordable housing project: the city was set to hold a public hearing on a zoning ordinance that would allow it to move forward, but a SEPA challenge has been filed by a former council candidate.

This is going to add weeks if not months of added process.

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Reposted by Ryan Packer

West Seattle Bike Blog @westseattlebikeblg.bsky.social · 1d

I tried to be first, alas. But the lights are on!

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Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · 1d

People say the darnest things on this website.

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Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · 1d

If Harrell wants to make a motion at the Sound Transit board before the election, he'll have to wait until October 23.

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Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · 1d

Harrell seemed to suggest that he wanted staff to look at jettisoning the Avalon Way light rail station, which Sound Transit says would have a minimal impact on ridership.

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Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · 1d

Bruce Harrell apparently didn't get the email that tomorrow's Sound Transit board committee meeting is cancelled, suggesting in a mayoral debate just now that he had been planning to "advance some discussion on looking at West Seattle" light rail.

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Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · 1d

I see residents of Bellevue's Newport Hills have decided to go with the talking point that their streets have a "1960s design" as the reason that they can't handle additional housing density.

To me, a "1960s design" would be building another highway through the area, demolishing hundreds of homes.

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Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · 1d

The lengths to which incumbent homeowners will go to negate the input of the next generation, even the people living in their community now, knows no bounds.

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Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · 1d

Tuned into the Bellevue Planning Commission meeting tonight where a resident of Eastgate is complaining that high school students who attended an open house on a neighborhood plan in Eastgate were "bribed" with extra credit to be there, pushing for youth to not be given "equal weight" with others.

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