The Urbanist
@theurbanist.org
Advocacy journalism for better cities.👩🦽👨🦯🚶🚴♀️ 🚎 ⛴️ 🚊 🚆 🏙️
Based in the Seattle metro area.
Read our coverage on theurbanist.org. 📰
Based in the Seattle metro area.
Read our coverage on theurbanist.org. 📰
NEW STORY // Seattle Social Housing Board Fires CEO, Taps McCoy as Interim Leader
By Doug Trumm via @theurbanist.org //
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/16/s...
By Doug Trumm via @theurbanist.org //
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/16/s...
Seattle Social Housing Board Fires CEO, Taps McCoy as Interim Leader » The Urbanist
# In a major shakeup, the board of the Seattle Social Housing Developer ousted its CEO, Roberto Jimenez, on Thursday night, and installed social housing advocate and nonprofit leader Tiffani McCoy as ...
www.theurbanist.org
January 16, 2026 at 11:56 PM
NEW STORY // Seattle Social Housing Board Fires CEO, Taps McCoy as Interim Leader
By Doug Trumm via @theurbanist.org //
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/16/s...
By Doug Trumm via @theurbanist.org //
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/16/s...
Reposted by The Urbanist
Mountlake Terrace Councilmember and Dave Somers ally Kyoko Matsumoto Wright has been appointed to the Community Transit board, setting her up as a potential replacement for former Lynnwood Mayor Christine Frizzell on the Sound Transit board.
January 16, 2026 at 9:45 PM
Mountlake Terrace Councilmember and Dave Somers ally Kyoko Matsumoto Wright has been appointed to the Community Transit board, setting her up as a potential replacement for former Lynnwood Mayor Christine Frizzell on the Sound Transit board.
Reposted by The Urbanist
The US Coast Guard will allow Washington and Oregon to build a lower, 116-foot bridge over the Columbia River as part of I-5 expansion plans, according to KGW. That means costs will "only" range from $12.2 to $17.7 billion.
www.kgw.com/article/news...
www.kgw.com/article/news...
Coast Guard issues Interstate Bridge clearance ruling, allowing fixed span with 116-foot height
The decision settles a big lingering question: whether the new bridge will need to match the current bridge's 178-foot clearance, which would require a drawbridge.
www.kgw.com
January 16, 2026 at 9:50 PM
The US Coast Guard will allow Washington and Oregon to build a lower, 116-foot bridge over the Columbia River as part of I-5 expansion plans, according to KGW. That means costs will "only" range from $12.2 to $17.7 billion.
www.kgw.com/article/news...
www.kgw.com/article/news...
Reposted by The Urbanist
Reposted by The Urbanist
Can anyone parse this statement from Marie Glusenkamp Perez on the Coast Guard's IBR decision?
“It would be shortsighted to sacrifice our industrial economy suspending a fiction of a limitless military budget"
??
“It would be shortsighted to sacrifice our industrial economy suspending a fiction of a limitless military budget"
??
January 16, 2026 at 9:17 PM
Can anyone parse this statement from Marie Glusenkamp Perez on the Coast Guard's IBR decision?
“It would be shortsighted to sacrifice our industrial economy suspending a fiction of a limitless military budget"
??
“It would be shortsighted to sacrifice our industrial economy suspending a fiction of a limitless military budget"
??
Reposted by The Urbanist
Abel Pacheco, who was briefly appointed to the Seattle City Council in 2019 (to fill out the remainder of Rob Johnson's term) and later went on to work at Sound Transit as Government & Community Relations Director, has taken the job as head of SDOT's transportation operations division.
January 16, 2026 at 8:47 PM
Abel Pacheco, who was briefly appointed to the Seattle City Council in 2019 (to fill out the remainder of Rob Johnson's term) and later went on to work at Sound Transit as Government & Community Relations Director, has taken the job as head of SDOT's transportation operations division.
"While the legislature had been tackling the elephants in the room — exclusionary zoning, outdated development standards, and costly government mandates — now it’s turning its attention to the thousand paper cuts that make housing in Washington more expensive."
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 are still some impactful reforms on deck.
Story: www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/14/2...
Story: 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 16, 2026 at 4:54 PM
"While the legislature had been tackling the elephants in the room — exclusionary zoning, outdated development standards, and costly government mandates — now it’s turning its attention to the thousand paper cuts that make housing in Washington more expensive."
Touting a focus on social housing, transit-oriented development, and lidding I-5, Hasegawa is the second candidate to announce in the race to fill Girmay Zahilay's former King County Council seat.
Story: www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/15/t...
Story: www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/15/t...
Toshiko Hasegawa Jumps in King County Council District 2 Race » The Urbanist
# Touting a focus on social housing, transit-oriented development, and lidding I-5, Hasegawa is the second candidate to announce in the race to fill Girmay Zahilay's former King County Council seat.
www.theurbanist.org
January 16, 2026 at 4:47 PM
Touting a focus on social housing, transit-oriented development, and lidding I-5, Hasegawa is the second candidate to announce in the race to fill Girmay Zahilay's former King County Council seat.
Story: www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/15/t...
Story: www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/15/t...
Lake City activist Nilu Jenks is the first to jump in the race for Seattle City Council’s District 5. The special election could determine policy direction control of the council next year.
Story: www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/15/c...
Story: www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/15/c...
Climate Advocate Nilu Jenks Announces D5 Seattle Council Campaign » The Urbanist
# Lake City activist Nilu Jenks is the first to jump in the race for Seattle City Council’s District 5. The special election could determine control of the council next year. The first-generation Iran...
www.theurbanist.org
January 16, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Lake City activist Nilu Jenks is the first to jump in the race for Seattle City Council’s District 5. The special election could determine policy direction control of the council next year.
Story: www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/15/c...
Story: www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/15/c...
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson rolled out two executive orders on Thursday morning, seeking to get major initiatives rolling: expanding emergency housing for homeless residents and bus lanes to speed up the Route 8 bus.
Story: www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/15/k...
Story: www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/15/k...
Katie Wilson Orders Denny Bus Lane to Help Route 8 Riders » The Urbanist
# Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson rolled out two executive orders on Thursday morning, seeking to get major initiatives rolling: expanding emergency housing for homeless residents and bus lanes to speed up...
www.theurbanist.org
January 16, 2026 at 4:37 PM
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson rolled out two executive orders on Thursday morning, seeking to get major initiatives rolling: expanding emergency housing for homeless residents and bus lanes to speed up the Route 8 bus.
Story: www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/15/k...
Story: www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/15/k...
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...
Reposted by The Urbanist
Big news at Seattle's Social Housing Developer: Roberto Jimenez has been fired by the board and Tiffani McCoy has been appointed interim.
January 16, 2026 at 3:24 AM
Big news at Seattle's Social Housing Developer: Roberto Jimenez has been fired by the board and Tiffani McCoy has been appointed interim.
Reposted by The Urbanist
See you tonight if you're around downtown, Seattle?
www.eventbrite.com/e/january-15...
www.eventbrite.com/e/january-15...
January 15th Seattle Urbanist Social
A social gathering with Urbanists and like-minded people to network, build community, and enjoy the evening.
www.eventbrite.com
January 16, 2026 at 1:07 AM
See you tonight if you're around downtown, Seattle?
www.eventbrite.com/e/january-15...
www.eventbrite.com/e/january-15...
NEW STORY // Climate Advocate Nilu Jenks Announces D5 Seattle Council Campaign
By Amy Sundberg, via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/15/c...
By Amy Sundberg, via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/15/c...
Climate Advocate Nilu Jenks Announces D5 Seattle Council Campaign » The Urbanist
# Lake City activist Nilu Jenks is the first to jump in the race for Seattle City Council’s District 5. The special election could determine control of the council next year. The first-generation Iran...
www.theurbanist.org
January 16, 2026 at 12:45 AM
NEW STORY // Climate Advocate Nilu Jenks Announces D5 Seattle Council Campaign
By Amy Sundberg, via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/15/c...
By Amy Sundberg, via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/15/c...
NEW STORY // Katie Wilson Orders Denny Bus Lane to Help Route 8 Riders
Story by Doug Trumm, via @theurbanist.org // 🔗
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/15/k...
Story by Doug Trumm, via @theurbanist.org // 🔗
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/15/k...
Katie Wilson Orders Denny Bus Lane to Help Route 8 Riders » The Urbanist
# Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson rolled out two executive orders on Thursday morning, seeking to get major initiatives rolling: expanding emergency housing for homeless residents and bus lanes to speed up...
www.theurbanist.org
January 16, 2026 at 12:25 AM
NEW STORY // Katie Wilson Orders Denny Bus Lane to Help Route 8 Riders
Story by Doug Trumm, via @theurbanist.org // 🔗
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/15/k...
Story by Doug Trumm, via @theurbanist.org // 🔗
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/15/k...
Reposted by The Urbanist
At a board committee meeting, Sound Transit CEO Dow Constantine says that the agency is set to pilot overnight ST Express bus service between SeaTac airport and Downtown Seattle this spring, a big boon for people heading to and from the airport after the 1 Line stops running.
January 15, 2026 at 9:05 PM
At a board committee meeting, Sound Transit CEO Dow Constantine says that the agency is set to pilot overnight ST Express bus service between SeaTac airport and Downtown Seattle this spring, a big boon for people heading to and from the airport after the 1 Line stops running.
Reposted by The Urbanist
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 7:33 PM
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.
Reposted by The Urbanist
In the press scrum, Wilson said she wanted bus lanes in the most congested section of Denny Way, from Dexter to Stewart Avenue, where advocates outraced a Route 8 bus on foot this summer. www.theurbanist.org/2025/07/22/b...
Bus Advocates Race Route 8 to Bolster Case for Improvements » The Urbanist
# On July 10, more than 200 transit advocates raced a Route 8 bus on foot from Dexter Avenue to Stewart Street, and came out on top. They're demanding bus lanes to make the bus faster than walking.
www.theurbanist.org
January 15, 2026 at 6:43 PM
In the press scrum, Wilson said she wanted bus lanes in the most congested section of Denny Way, from Dexter to Stewart Avenue, where advocates outraced a Route 8 bus on foot this summer. www.theurbanist.org/2025/07/22/b...
Reposted by The Urbanist
The second item: "We're going to be getting out the red paint on Denny Way," Wilson said. "We cannot let one of our highest ridership routes languish in traffic." Bus lane inbound.
January 15, 2026 at 5:41 PM
The second item: "We're going to be getting out the red paint on Denny Way," Wilson said. "We cannot let one of our highest ridership routes languish in traffic." Bus lane inbound.
Reposted by The Urbanist
The first item is an executive order expediting the production of emergency housing, such as tiny housing villages, using surplus public land where possible.
January 15, 2026 at 5:39 PM
The first item is an executive order expediting the production of emergency housing, such as tiny housing villages, using surplus public land where possible.
Reposted by The Urbanist
Mayor Katie Wilson is giving opening remarks at a press event in Beacon Hill. Her transition team is expected to make announcement about emergency housing and transit improvements.
January 15, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Mayor Katie Wilson is giving opening remarks at a press event in Beacon Hill. Her transition team is expected to make announcement about emergency housing and transit improvements.
Reposted by The Urbanist
This week I got a chance to interview Toshiko Hasegawa.
Check out her vision and pitch for the King County Council District 2 seat.
Check out her vision and pitch for the King County Council District 2 seat.
NEW STORY // Toshiko Hasegawa Jumps in the Race for King County Council District 2
Story by Doug Trumm, via @theurbanist.org // 🔗
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/15/t...
Story by Doug Trumm, via @theurbanist.org // 🔗
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/15/t...
Toshiko Hasegawa Jumps in the Race for King County Council District 2 » The Urbanist
# Touting a focus on social housing, transit-oriented development, and lidding I-5, Hasegawa is the second candidate to announce in the race to fill Girmay Zahilay's former council seat.
www.theurbanist.org
January 15, 2026 at 5:17 PM
This week I got a chance to interview Toshiko Hasegawa.
Check out her vision and pitch for the King County Council District 2 seat.
Check out her vision and pitch for the King County Council District 2 seat.
Katie Wilson issued an executive order today advancing Route bus lanes.
The second item: "We're going to be getting out the red paint on Denny Way," Wilson said. "We cannot let one of our highest ridership routes languish in traffic." Bus lane inbound.
January 15, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Katie Wilson issued an executive order today advancing Route bus lanes.
Reposted by The Urbanist
Katie Wilson's team is promising "significant announcements" on transit and homelessness at the transition team meeting happening this morning. @theurbanist.org will be on the scene.
January 15, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Katie Wilson's team is promising "significant announcements" on transit and homelessness at the transition team meeting happening this morning. @theurbanist.org will be on the scene.
NEW STORY // Toshiko Hasegawa Jumps in the Race for King County Council District 2
Story by Doug Trumm, via @theurbanist.org // 🔗
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/15/t...
Story by Doug Trumm, via @theurbanist.org // 🔗
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/15/t...
Toshiko Hasegawa Jumps in the Race for King County Council District 2 » The Urbanist
# Touting a focus on social housing, transit-oriented development, and lidding I-5, Hasegawa is the second candidate to announce in the race to fill Girmay Zahilay's former council seat.
www.theurbanist.org
January 15, 2026 at 4:09 PM
NEW STORY // Toshiko Hasegawa Jumps in the Race for King County Council District 2
Story by Doug Trumm, via @theurbanist.org // 🔗
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/15/t...
Story by Doug Trumm, via @theurbanist.org // 🔗
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/15/t...