Lauren
@lpangborn.bsky.social
Urbanist and bike advocate in Spokane
Columnist for @rangemedia.co
Columnist for @rangemedia.co
Pinned
Lauren
@lpangborn.bsky.social
· Nov 9
Trello
Organize anything, together. Trello is a collaboration tool that organizes your projects into boards. In one glance, know what's being worked on, who's working on what, and where something is in a pro...
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Alright new to the neighborhood.
Here’s some stuff that you might like:
- Spokane bicycle infrastructure project tracker: trello.com/b/eFMhFOsB/u...
- And a map of current and future infrastructure: felt.com/map/2030-Net...
Here’s some stuff that you might like:
- Spokane bicycle infrastructure project tracker: trello.com/b/eFMhFOsB/u...
- And a map of current and future infrastructure: felt.com/map/2030-Net...
Many of Spokane’s favorite places fall into this category:
Beloved small businesses like The Grainshed, Doyle’s, Wisconsinburger, Rockwood Bakery, and the Scoop would be nigh impossible to create today.
I don’t think many people know this
Beloved small businesses like The Grainshed, Doyle’s, Wisconsinburger, Rockwood Bakery, and the Scoop would be nigh impossible to create today.
I don’t think many people know this
When I was running for Issaquah council, a story I often brought up was the corner candy store where I grew up that is illegal to build in Issaquah today. Bad on its own, but representative of our broader land use problems. Hope this gets passed into law, and hope cities even comply in advance!
Good news for neighborhood cafes!
That said, it has provisions allowing cities to regulate parking, signage, hours of operation, and square footage, which could be misused by oppositional-defiant jurisdictions.
I’d also like to see the bill include explicit reference to last year’s parking reform.
That said, it has provisions allowing cities to regulate parking, signage, hours of operation, and square footage, which could be misused by oppositional-defiant jurisdictions.
I’d also like to see the bill include explicit reference to last year’s parking reform.
January 16, 2026 at 11:16 PM
Many of Spokane’s favorite places fall into this category:
Beloved small businesses like The Grainshed, Doyle’s, Wisconsinburger, Rockwood Bakery, and the Scoop would be nigh impossible to create today.
I don’t think many people know this
Beloved small businesses like The Grainshed, Doyle’s, Wisconsinburger, Rockwood Bakery, and the Scoop would be nigh impossible to create today.
I don’t think many people know this
The difference between my vocation (software design) and evocation (infrastructure advocacy):
Getting tired of typing “notification” 1000 times this week vs
Getting tired of typing “Centennial” 1000 times this week
Getting tired of typing “notification” 1000 times this week vs
Getting tired of typing “Centennial” 1000 times this week
January 16, 2026 at 5:46 PM
The difference between my vocation (software design) and evocation (infrastructure advocacy):
Getting tired of typing “notification” 1000 times this week vs
Getting tired of typing “Centennial” 1000 times this week
Getting tired of typing “notification” 1000 times this week vs
Getting tired of typing “Centennial” 1000 times this week
Reposted by Lauren
NEW STORY // Washington House Approves Neighborhood Cafe Bill in Early Floor Vote
Story by Ryan Packer via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/16/w...
Story by Ryan Packer via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/16/w...
Washington House Approves Neighborhood Cafe Bill in Early Floor Vote » The Urbanist
# House Bill 1175 gives wide latitude to local governments to regulate corner stores and cafes. With a nearly unanimous floor vote on the fourth day of session, the bill's chances look good. It's less...
www.theurbanist.org
January 16, 2026 at 4:34 PM
NEW STORY // Washington House Approves Neighborhood Cafe Bill in Early Floor Vote
Story by Ryan Packer via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/16/w...
Story by Ryan Packer via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/16/w...
Gotta get it through the Senate now!
The Washington House just approved HB 1175, which would legalize neighborhood corner stores & cafes statewide. The bill was sent directly to the House floor after being approved in committee last session.
A last minute amendment dropped suburbs with fewer than 5,000 people. The vote was 94-2.
A last minute amendment dropped suburbs with fewer than 5,000 people. The vote was 94-2.
January 16, 2026 at 12:02 AM
Gotta get it through the Senate now!
Reposted by Lauren
Good news for neighborhood cafes!
That said, it has provisions allowing cities to regulate parking, signage, hours of operation, and square footage, which could be misused by oppositional-defiant jurisdictions.
I’d also like to see the bill include explicit reference to last year’s parking reform.
That said, it has provisions allowing cities to regulate parking, signage, hours of operation, and square footage, which could be misused by oppositional-defiant jurisdictions.
I’d also like to see the bill include explicit reference to last year’s parking reform.
The Washington House just approved HB 1175, which would legalize neighborhood corner stores & cafes statewide. The bill was sent directly to the House floor after being approved in committee last session.
A last minute amendment dropped suburbs with fewer than 5,000 people. The vote was 94-2.
A last minute amendment dropped suburbs with fewer than 5,000 people. The vote was 94-2.
January 15, 2026 at 9:13 PM
Good news for neighborhood cafes!
That said, it has provisions allowing cities to regulate parking, signage, hours of operation, and square footage, which could be misused by oppositional-defiant jurisdictions.
I’d also like to see the bill include explicit reference to last year’s parking reform.
That said, it has provisions allowing cities to regulate parking, signage, hours of operation, and square footage, which could be misused by oppositional-defiant jurisdictions.
I’d also like to see the bill include explicit reference to last year’s parking reform.
Reposted by Lauren
"The death of truth is the ultimate victory of evil. When truth leaves us, when we let it slip away, when it is ripped from our hands, we become vulnerable to the appetite of whatever monster screams at us the loudest."
-Mon Mothma (Andor)
-Mon Mothma (Andor)
May 7, 2025 at 3:15 PM
"The death of truth is the ultimate victory of evil. When truth leaves us, when we let it slip away, when it is ripped from our hands, we become vulnerable to the appetite of whatever monster screams at us the loudest."
-Mon Mothma (Andor)
-Mon Mothma (Andor)
Reposted by Lauren
Need a rundown of all the big housing bills set to advance at the Washington legislature this year? I've got you covered!
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/14/2...
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/14/2...
2026: The Year the Washington Legislature Catches Its Breath on Housing » The Urbanist
# With middle housing, transit-oriented development, and parking reform all checked off the list, the Washington legislature's 2026 session looks to be more sedate when it comes to housing. But there ...
www.theurbanist.org
January 14, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Need a rundown of all the big housing bills set to advance at the Washington legislature this year? I've got you covered!
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/14/2...
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/14/2...
I’m at tonight’s city council meeting to celebrate the swearing in of three pro-housing, pro-bike, pro-transit council members!
Congrats to Zack Zappone, Sarah Dixit, and Kate Telis.
Congrats to Zack Zappone, Sarah Dixit, and Kate Telis.
January 13, 2026 at 1:55 AM
I’m at tonight’s city council meeting to celebrate the swearing in of three pro-housing, pro-bike, pro-transit council members!
Congrats to Zack Zappone, Sarah Dixit, and Kate Telis.
Congrats to Zack Zappone, Sarah Dixit, and Kate Telis.
Another way to save money and space on SFB: why does it need street parking when there’s a massive tax-payer-funded garage on this street?
Question from CM Cathcart about Spokane Falls Blvd along the lines of: if there's a path in the park, and a bike lane on Main, why do we need bike lanes on SFB?
If that's our measuring stick, why do we need 3 vehicle lanes on SFB when there are 3 lanes on Main + 3 on Riverside?
If that's our measuring stick, why do we need 3 vehicle lanes on SFB when there are 3 lanes on Main + 3 on Riverside?
January 12, 2026 at 9:24 PM
Another way to save money and space on SFB: why does it need street parking when there’s a massive tax-payer-funded garage on this street?
Question from CM Cathcart about Spokane Falls Blvd along the lines of: if there's a path in the park, and a bike lane on Main, why do we need bike lanes on SFB?
If that's our measuring stick, why do we need 3 vehicle lanes on SFB when there are 3 lanes on Main + 3 on Riverside?
If that's our measuring stick, why do we need 3 vehicle lanes on SFB when there are 3 lanes on Main + 3 on Riverside?
January 12, 2026 at 9:01 PM
Question from CM Cathcart about Spokane Falls Blvd along the lines of: if there's a path in the park, and a bike lane on Main, why do we need bike lanes on SFB?
If that's our measuring stick, why do we need 3 vehicle lanes on SFB when there are 3 lanes on Main + 3 on Riverside?
If that's our measuring stick, why do we need 3 vehicle lanes on SFB when there are 3 lanes on Main + 3 on Riverside?
Reposted by Lauren
In partnership with Sen. Emily Alvarado, I’m requesting a bill to change commercial zoning to help local governments develop more housing.
This bill would require cities and counties that use Growth Management Plans to permit residential and mixed-use development in areas zoned for commercial use.
This bill would require cities and counties that use Growth Management Plans to permit residential and mixed-use development in areas zoned for commercial use.
January 12, 2026 at 8:05 PM
In partnership with Sen. Emily Alvarado, I’m requesting a bill to change commercial zoning to help local governments develop more housing.
This bill would require cities and counties that use Growth Management Plans to permit residential and mixed-use development in areas zoned for commercial use.
This bill would require cities and counties that use Growth Management Plans to permit residential and mixed-use development in areas zoned for commercial use.
This was supposed to be done end of the year
Pretty par for the course on NSC though
Pretty par for the course on NSC though
January 11, 2026 at 10:07 PM
This was supposed to be done end of the year
Pretty par for the course on NSC though
Pretty par for the course on NSC though
I'm about to head out on a ride to check on some infrastructure that was supposed to be finished, but first I'm getting a little sentimental.
About 10 years ago, I rode this exact route as my first foray into road cycling -- I was so proud of making it ten miles!
About 10 years ago, I rode this exact route as my first foray into road cycling -- I was so proud of making it ten miles!
January 11, 2026 at 7:09 PM
I'm about to head out on a ride to check on some infrastructure that was supposed to be finished, but first I'm getting a little sentimental.
About 10 years ago, I rode this exact route as my first foray into road cycling -- I was so proud of making it ten miles!
About 10 years ago, I rode this exact route as my first foray into road cycling -- I was so proud of making it ten miles!
This event seems to have some legitimately great speakers and I truthfully have a bit of FOMO but goodnight the name is culty
January 10, 2026 at 9:13 PM
This event seems to have some legitimately great speakers and I truthfully have a bit of FOMO but goodnight the name is culty
Reposted by Lauren
This is actually beautiful. I hope it makes Liias’ and Ferguson’s highway expansion dreams an utter nightmare
The IBR will cost as much as $17.7 billion, more than double the previous max. cost of $7.5 billion, according to documents unearthed by City Observatory. cityobservatory.org/17-7-billion...
January 8, 2026 at 5:46 AM
This is actually beautiful. I hope it makes Liias’ and Ferguson’s highway expansion dreams an utter nightmare
Reposted by Lauren
January 8, 2026 at 5:13 AM
Reposted by Lauren
If you missed last month's community engagement for the NSC & I-90 connection, you've got two opportunities to weigh in this week.
1. Carl Maxey Center: 1/7 - 5:30-7PM
2. Liberty Park Library: 1/8 - 10AM-12PM
Topics at these open houses include pedestrian bridge & plaza design.
1. Carl Maxey Center: 1/7 - 5:30-7PM
2. Liberty Park Library: 1/8 - 10AM-12PM
Topics at these open houses include pedestrian bridge & plaza design.
January 6, 2026 at 11:39 PM
If you missed last month's community engagement for the NSC & I-90 connection, you've got two opportunities to weigh in this week.
1. Carl Maxey Center: 1/7 - 5:30-7PM
2. Liberty Park Library: 1/8 - 10AM-12PM
Topics at these open houses include pedestrian bridge & plaza design.
1. Carl Maxey Center: 1/7 - 5:30-7PM
2. Liberty Park Library: 1/8 - 10AM-12PM
Topics at these open houses include pedestrian bridge & plaza design.
Reposted by Lauren
BUILDING CODE NERD ALERT!
WA's scissor stair bill just dropped, HB 2228:
app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?...
You know all those elegant skinny towers in Vancouver, BC? Part of why they're common is that scissor stairs make small floor plates more feasible.
Why not here? Why not everywhere?
WA's scissor stair bill just dropped, HB 2228:
app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?...
You know all those elegant skinny towers in Vancouver, BC? Part of why they're common is that scissor stairs make small floor plates more feasible.
Why not here? Why not everywhere?
HB 2228 Washington State Legislature
app.leg.wa.gov
January 6, 2026 at 12:49 AM
BUILDING CODE NERD ALERT!
WA's scissor stair bill just dropped, HB 2228:
app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?...
You know all those elegant skinny towers in Vancouver, BC? Part of why they're common is that scissor stairs make small floor plates more feasible.
Why not here? Why not everywhere?
WA's scissor stair bill just dropped, HB 2228:
app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?...
You know all those elegant skinny towers in Vancouver, BC? Part of why they're common is that scissor stairs make small floor plates more feasible.
Why not here? Why not everywhere?
Reposted by Lauren
Nice words of support for elevator code reform from WA's House D majority leader.
Watch for the return of SB 5156 when session starts next week.
komonews.com/news/local/p...
Watch for the return of SB 5156 when session starts next week.
komonews.com/news/local/p...
January 5, 2026 at 11:57 PM
Nice words of support for elevator code reform from WA's House D majority leader.
Watch for the return of SB 5156 when session starts next week.
komonews.com/news/local/p...
Watch for the return of SB 5156 when session starts next week.
komonews.com/news/local/p...
We can’t have people speculating on land during a housing crisis — we need that land for housing, and investment in these parcels is beneficial to our economy.
Let’s get this (psuedo) land value tax going!
www.spokesman.com/stories/2026...
Let’s get this (psuedo) land value tax going!
www.spokesman.com/stories/2026...
'Everybody works but the empty lot': Some Spokane leaders eye property tax reform to promote building
As Spokane city leaders look for new ways to boost development, some are leading the charge for a reform to the property tax system which would shift some of the tax burden off of homes and high rises...
www.spokesman.com
January 5, 2026 at 8:24 PM
We can’t have people speculating on land during a housing crisis — we need that land for housing, and investment in these parcels is beneficial to our economy.
Let’s get this (psuedo) land value tax going!
www.spokesman.com/stories/2026...
Let’s get this (psuedo) land value tax going!
www.spokesman.com/stories/2026...
Reposted by Lauren
Would you look at that, no studies, no surveys, no outreach, no process; just stuff getting done when it needs to. Oh, but only when it benefits cars. Everything else requires years of molasses planning and permitting processes to built trains, RapidRide buses, or anything that might help bicyclists
Incredibly, incredibly good news: Highway 2 will open in all lanes between Skykomish and Stevens Pass on Sunday. This is a huge step forward for access and surpasses our best case scenarios.
I'm grateful to all the workers who made this possible.
I'm grateful to all the workers who made this possible.
January 5, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Would you look at that, no studies, no surveys, no outreach, no process; just stuff getting done when it needs to. Oh, but only when it benefits cars. Everything else requires years of molasses planning and permitting processes to built trains, RapidRide buses, or anything that might help bicyclists
Reposted by Lauren
e-bikes displace billions of gallons of gas.
massive wins for public health, personal finance, climate, local communities, local businesses
we should be giving them away.
bsky.app/profile/holz...
massive wins for public health, personal finance, climate, local communities, local businesses
we should be giving them away.
bsky.app/profile/holz...
We are headed the wrong direction when it comes to #sustainablemobility, #safestreets, and #publichealth.
Here's the math on e-bike giveaways.
An electric cargo bike is a car-replacement in most urban areas.
This is a savings of approx. $5-6k a year - and even upwards of $12k.
Here's the math on e-bike giveaways.
An electric cargo bike is a car-replacement in most urban areas.
This is a savings of approx. $5-6k a year - and even upwards of $12k.
a cartoon cat wearing sunglasses is holding a bunch of money .
ALT: a cartoon cat wearing sunglasses is holding a bunch of money .
media.tenor.com
January 3, 2026 at 9:35 PM
e-bikes displace billions of gallons of gas.
massive wins for public health, personal finance, climate, local communities, local businesses
we should be giving them away.
bsky.app/profile/holz...
massive wins for public health, personal finance, climate, local communities, local businesses
we should be giving them away.
bsky.app/profile/holz...
Reposted by Lauren
Just an annoying reminder that the unquenchable American thirst for oil, and the conquest and subjugation of other nations in futile attempts to satiate it, is brought to you in large part by our land-use patterns
January 3, 2026 at 8:16 PM
Just an annoying reminder that the unquenchable American thirst for oil, and the conquest and subjugation of other nations in futile attempts to satiate it, is brought to you in large part by our land-use patterns
Reposted by Lauren
Remember: it’s New Year’s EVE, not New Year’s Steve. Sapphic smooches ONLY when the clock strikes 12!
January 1, 2026 at 3:20 AM
Remember: it’s New Year’s EVE, not New Year’s Steve. Sapphic smooches ONLY when the clock strikes 12!
Reposted by Lauren
Making US Roads as safe as Canadian, Australian, or European roads would save more American lives (30,000 per year) than eliminating murder from the US (24,000 per year).
Image with alt text:
Image with alt text:
December 29, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Making US Roads as safe as Canadian, Australian, or European roads would save more American lives (30,000 per year) than eliminating murder from the US (24,000 per year).
Image with alt text:
Image with alt text: