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Rico Quirindongo @ricoque-opcd.bsky.social · 12d

I was truly honored to present at the 18th Federal Congress on the National Urban Development Policy at the University City of Rostock, Germany, earlier this month. I delivered a 15-minute TED-talk-style presentation on the transformative work happening in Seattle and our region. bit.ly/46DRsq1

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Rico Quirindongo @ricoque-opcd.bsky.social · 14d

So proud of my son Milo who officially starts his first day of college at Western Washington University today. Love you, Milo- you will do well…!

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Rico Quirindongo @ricoque-opcd.bsky.social · 17d

I presented the Citywide Collaborative Impact award to Barry Johnson at the Arte Noir Gala last night at Seattle Center. Vivian Phillips & Jazmyn Scott were amazing. They have accomplished in three years what it has taken other not-for-profits decades to build. The award ceremony was lovely.

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Rico Quirindongo @ricoque-opcd.bsky.social · 19d

Germany Day5: Morning walking tour of central Berlin, getting to know the city’s history, including post-war reconstruction, and post-1990 development after the Berlin Wall came down. Ended the day with a beautiful riverboat tour and discussion of German history, governance, and culture.

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Rico Quirindongo @ricoque-opcd.bsky.social · 20d

Germany-Day4: A quiet day of transition. Tour of university campus in Rostock, closing session at the conference, and then two hour train back to Berlin and low key evening at the hotel.

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Rico Quirindongo @ricoque-opcd.bsky.social · 21d

Germany Day3: First full day of the German Federal Congress on Urban Development Policy. I was one of the keynote speakers and shared with an audience of 1000 Germans reflections on the Seattle Waterfront transformation, transit oriented development, and equitable development.

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Rico Quirindongo @ricoque-opcd.bsky.social · 23d

Germany-Day2: Made the trip to Rostock, two hours north of Berlin by train. Met up with another GIZ host Tina Silbernagl and traveled to the opening reception of the German Federal Congress on Urban Development Policy with Philipp, Tina, & 2 new colleagues from the South African federal government.

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Rico Quirindongo @ricoque-opcd.bsky.social · 24d

Germany-Day1: I arrived in Berlin today after 13 hours of travel. I had an evening walk along the Spree riverfront, took photos of the Reichstag Building, and got to watch an incredible ‘People and Parliament’ film and light show. I am here all week & am very much looking forward to the days ahead.

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Rico Quirindongo @ricoque-opcd.bsky.social · Aug 27

Boston Day4: Visited the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway on our last day before returning home. The resulting urban green landscape from this $8 billion dollar highway lid project (the ‘Big Dig’) is pretty impressive. Check out- bit.ly/4lTpJqX

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Rico Quirindongo @ricoque-opcd.bsky.social · Aug 26

Boston Day3: Day in Provincetown!

Rico Quirindongo @ricoque-opcd.bsky.social · Aug 25

Boston Day2: A day outside in the sun- at City Point Beach, then Boston Public Garden, and after than a retro arcade eventing of food and fun at Versus…!

Rico Quirindongo @ricoque-opcd.bsky.social · Aug 24

Boston Day1: Friday was our first day in Boston to drop Kate’s daughter Rennie off at Boston University for her freshman year. I have been to Cambridge for years for the Lincoln Institute’s Big City Planning Director’s Institute, but I have not taken the time to actually be a proper tourist here…!

Rico Quirindongo @ricoque-opcd.bsky.social · Jul 27

Excited to celebrate Waterfront Park Grand Opening with Friends of Waterfront Park, the Office of Waterfront, Civic Projects & Sound Transit, Seattle Center, and City of Seattle! The day-long celebration will feature live music, local performers, food, art, and community on Sept. 6! bit.ly/4530PyA

Tsutakawa Fountain with waterfront bike path beyond

Pioneer Square waterfront habitat and beach

Pier 62 festival full of people, colorful tents, and activities

Reposted by Rico Quirindongo

Atlantic Street Center @atlanticstreetcntr.bsky.social · Apr 18

A powerful room of local changemakers came together for the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle Guild’s first annual Trailblazing Black Women in Washington State brunch.

Thank you for including us and we can't wait for next year!

www.whereweconverge.com/post/honorin...

Honoring Legacy, Uplifting the Future: A Look Inside the Trailblazing Black Women Brunch — Converge Media

On March 30, 2025, the Northwest African American Museum in Seattle’s Central District was filled with joy, reverence, and celebration as the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle Guild hosted its firs...

www.whereweconverge.com

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Rico Quirindongo @ricoque-opcd.bsky.social · Jul 18

Because of the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ about 17 million people will lose their healthcare. This will put an undue burden on our hospitals. Additionally, the federal government plans to cut the percentage of Medicaid costs it covers. States and patients will be required to fund the gap. bit.ly/452CCZs

How The Megabill Will Change America

Podcast Episode · The Daily · 07/04/2025 · Subscribers Only · 33m

bit.ly

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Rico Quirindongo @ricoque-opcd.bsky.social · Jul 14

PCC market is reopening in downtown Seattle July 15th. Come check it out. It is gratifying that PCC has maintained its commitment to Seattle and has reestablished their downtown location. Will be a great asset for anyone living or working downtown bit.ly/3TEr3Ch

PCC Corner Market Opens July 15

PCC's highly anticipated new small format store marks the co-op’s return to Downtown Seattle July 15, 2025.

bit.ly

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Rico Quirindongo @ricoque-opcd.bsky.social · Jun 30

I was really honored to be able to chair the CNU Charter awards this year. When you review the awardees, you will see the path toward our collective future.

Seattle Office of Planning and Community Development @seattleopcd.bsky.social · Jun 16

ICYMI, our Director @ricoque-opcd.bsky.social was chair of an award jury for Congress for the New Urbanism. See a complete list of the awardees here: www.cnu.org/publicsquare....

A graphic rendering of people and dogs walking along paths in a Guatemalan town.

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Rico Quirindongo @ricoque-opcd.bsky.social · Jun 30

It is not the responsibility of the underserved to educate the 80% of the nation not well educated about the issues that we hold dear, but if you are willing to accept the hardship, these are the difficult conversations that we need to have to educate others and get to a better place. bit.ly/4491dMX

Opinion | Sarah McBride on Why the Left Lost on Trans Rights

Representative Sarah McBride reckons with the trans rights movement’s shortcomings and how to win hearts and minds through a politics of grace.

bit.ly

Rico Quirindongo @ricoque-opcd.bsky.social · May 29

It is not often that we find examples where planning practices in the US are informed and molded by tribal practices and indigenous culture. We need more projects like this one.

Seattle Office of Planning and Community Development @seattleopcd.bsky.social · May 27

A Framework Plan for Cherokee Village envisions retrofitting a partially built 20th-century new town.

Our Director @ricoque-opcd.bsky.social was chair of a jury to select this award winning project for Congress for the New Urbanism: www.cnu.org/publicsquare....

Mapping the culture and retrofit of a car-oriented community

A Framework Plan for Cherokee Village envisions retrofitting a partially built 20th-century new town. University of Arkansas Community Design Center won a Merit Award in The Region: Metropolis, City a...

www.cnu.org

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Rico Quirindongo @ricoque-opcd.bsky.social · May 23

We know through our own Seattle ADUniverse program the power of pre-approved plans to remove barriers and increase housing production (bit.ly/3HoYFB2). Check out the Midwest Pre-Approved Building Program link below being recognized by CNU- it is an inspirational Charter Award…!

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Rico Quirindongo @ricoque-opcd.bsky.social · May 22

Placemaking, storytelling, and allowing us to hold onto our history and be a witness. Projects like this one are so important…

Seattle Office of Planning and Community Development @seattleopcd.bsky.social · May 21

The Shockoe Project tells an important story about slavery while providing public space that links downtown to an adjacent neighborhood.

Learn more and our Director @ricoque-opcd.bsky.social's involvement in this award winning project: www.cnu.org/publicsquare....

Civic space designed to reveal a dark history

The Shockoe Project tells an important story about slavery while providing public space that links downtown to an adjacent neighborhood. Baskervill won a Merit Award in the Block, Street, and Building...

www.cnu.org

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Rico Quirindongo @ricoque-opcd.bsky.social · May 10

Loved being able to chair the CNU Charter Award jury this year and can't wait to hang out with and celebrate the winners at the CNU awards in June in Providence, Rhode Island! www.cnu.org/cnu33 #powerofdesignthinking

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Rico Quirindongo @ricoque-opcd.bsky.social · May 8

So glad for this and so many progressive pieces of legislation passed by the State Legislature and the Governor this session to support housing production across the state, address our housing crisis, & make investments that will in the long term ensure housing affordability for the next generation.

Gov. Bob Ferguson @governorferguson.bsky.social · May 8

Building parking as part of a housing project is expensive – adding up to $20,000 for each space.

I signed SB 5184 to establish limits on the number of parking spaces cities and counties require for housing projects, ensuring projects do not have excess parking.

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Rico Quirindongo @ricoque-opcd.bsky.social · May 6

I am so grateful for the mentorship I received as a young architect and a growing professional. And now I pay it forward. The future that we want to see is squarely rooted in the support that we provide the younger generation.

Seattle Office of Planning and Community Development @seattleopcd.bsky.social · May 5

“Don’t wait for a future you’re not building… We’re here to help, but you’ve got to pick up the baton.” - @ricoque-opcd.bsky.social

Read about the importance of mentorship and representation in architecture, courtesy of the UW College of Built Environments: be.uw.edu/blog/2025/04....

Carrying the Baton: Mentorship and Representation in Architecture

Mentorship is not simply guidance. In architecture—where Black professionals represent less than 2% of licensed architects in Washington state, reflecting national disparities—mentorship is resilience...

be.uw.edu

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Rico Quirindongo @ricoque-opcd.bsky.social · May 6

I am so grateful for the mentorship I received as a young architect and a growing professional. And now I pay it forward. The future that we want to see is squarely rooted in the support that we provide the younger generation.

Seattle Office of Planning and Community Development @seattleopcd.bsky.social · May 5

“Don’t wait for a future you’re not building… We’re here to help, but you’ve got to pick up the baton.” - @ricoque-opcd.bsky.social

Read about the importance of mentorship and representation in architecture, courtesy of the UW College of Built Environments: be.uw.edu/blog/2025/04....

Carrying the Baton: Mentorship and Representation in Architecture

Mentorship is not simply guidance. In architecture—where Black professionals represent less than 2% of licensed architects in Washington state, reflecting national disparities—mentorship is resilience...

be.uw.edu