Posted Thu, Apr 19, 1:33 p.m.

I see absolutely nothing wrong with the statement "I support density, just the right kind of density". I support global aid, just the right kind of global aid. I support federal transportation funding, just the right kind of funding. Yes our politic system tends to break things into simple pro ...

Posted Thu, Apr 19, 12:38 p.m.

Roger, I'm not equating the Space Needle and Bauhaus block. I was actually pointing out that you had done just that and then subsequently said it doesn't matter. My point was that you acknowledge the importance of these buildings/spaces/businesses but then your argument is that it doesn't matter because change ...

Posted Thu, Apr 19, 11:47 a.m.

You lost me at this: "Capitol Hill without Bauhaus would be like Seattle with[out] the Space Needle, a different place entirely. But that’s the point. Change is difficult, even for Capitol Hill." Should I gather from this that even icons such as the Space Needle, should be replaced in the ...

Posted Tue, Jan 11, 8:46 a.m.

I agree with Arties. Of course the state wants to demolition the building because its a heck of a lot cheaper than actually fixing it. But this is exactly the kind of collateral damage that Seattle is paying for (in this case culturally) because of the state's decision of a ...

Posted Fri, Oct 22, 12:28 p.m.

The hills can no doubt be a formidable challenge, but I think they can also be an excuse. There are many, many places in the city where hills really aren't a factor, especially in North South directions. It should also be noted that Capitol Hill has an above average amount ...

Posted Fri, Sep 17, 7:24 p.m.

This is a hugely appreciated article. As a young urban Seattlite, I have made the choice, for environmental as well as economic reasons, not to own a vehicle. For the vast majority of my lifestyle choices, it works out fantastically and I really enjoy the perspective of the city that ...

Posted Mon, Aug 30, 11:42 a.m.

Useful parks is all in the eye of the beholder. For example, the two most recent Parks Levys will have provided three new pocket parks and at least two more community gardens in my neighborhood, both things that are in high demand. While you may like to see more programming ...

Posted Thu, Aug 19, 12:20 a.m.

"The saddest part of this phenomenon is that it is completely avoidable. In most cases, these road restrictions have been shown to provide no measurable benefit to the bicyclists and pedestrians that the city administrators purport to champion." Ha! This is an absolute joke. Let's see, by law, SDOT cannot ...

Posted Fri, Aug 6, 10:15 a.m.

Thanks for the good overview of potential here. It's nice to hear something positive about one of the other proposals instead of just more negative about the Chihuly Museum. It does seem like a radio station with opportunities for visitor interaction would go very nicely sandwiched between the Mural Ampitheatre ...

Posted Thu, Jul 29, 7:37 p.m.

First of all I completely agree with your basic premise: It should certainly be our civic ambition to create a city that provides for a multitude of different individuals, families, and businesses. I also agree that, sadly, a divide has developed in this city that has seriously limited our ability ...

Posted Thu, May 20, 10:21 a.m.

I just want to second smacgry's comment. Not only do eBikes provide some quad relief on the hills but they also allow people to wear work clothes without being covered in sweat at their destination. There is a bit of condescension towards electric bikes but if Seattle truly wants to ...

Posted Wed, Apr 21, 2:17 p.m.

I love this idea, thanks Mossback for having such a community-centric imagination! Another thing I would suggest is not only naming significant alley's, but also changing the name of many of our "main streets" from numbers to actual names. A name has so much more character to is than just ...

Posted Tue, Apr 20, 11:55 a.m.

The growth "expected" by the PSRC and others is (almost) completely self-manifesting. If you build bigger infrastructure, it will draw more people. If instead we tore down 520 then I guarantee that our growth expectations would be lower. Sure some people would get frustrated and there would be some readjusting ...

Posted Thu, Oct 15, 12:22 p.m.

The well represents ALL public amenities and we should have lots of little wells throughout the region. The rail system we are building is a good start for this (and should be concentrated around already centralized areas) because it can move both people and goods far more efficiently than vehicle ...

Posted Thu, Oct 15, 12:13 p.m.

Just to hammer home this point, take this metaphor: Suppose a small village has one central well. The area directly surrounding that well would be the most heavily concentrated because its the easiest way to get water. More density, taller buildings, etc. As you move away from the well it ...

Posted Thu, Oct 15, 12:02 p.m.

I think the peanut butter issue is a critical point though. Metro and WSDOT spending would be much more efficiently used in Seattle and other regional population centers (ei. Bellevue, Kirkland, Everret) instead of spread out over the entire area. When we subsidize a bunch of public amenities in places ...

Posted Fri, Oct 2, 3:48 p.m.

Thanks Knute. Really interest piece and great mental exercise. Sadly, its true that the viaduct and its environs are much different than the neighborhoods of Manhattan. There are reasonable arguments to say that Jacobs would have supported any of the options and no matter what we choose, creating a vibrant, ...

Posted Wed, Sep 30, 4 p.m.

Actually, I would say the fear of manhattanization is much worse for Portland than Seattle. Telling people that your "funemployed", a common phrase down there, gets pretty old after about 28.

Posted Wed, Sep 30, 2:24 p.m.

Mr. Brewster, your assumption that this forecast (not survey) suggest Seattle is becoming "Manhattanized" doesn't seem correct. First of all, Manhattan (but now arguably more Brooklyn) is characterized as a place of young people with little direction hoping to realize their dreams in areas like film, music, or arts. Eventually ...

Posted Tue, Sep 29, 9:38 a.m.

Maybe Mallahan should think about jogging those six blocks to his campaign HQ and back instead of driving the oh-so-green Prius.

Posted Fri, Aug 28, 10:42 a.m.

Here's the real issue: People living in the sub/exurbs, live an incredibly subsidized life. That is, since there is a large area to cover and less people, utilities, fire service, police service, road construction and repair, public transportation, schools, are all paid for by a greater tax base then just ...

Posted Thu, Aug 27, 3:39 p.m.

I think that if anything, this update shows that we do in fact need to be more agressive about how we treat cars if we are going to achieve our 2040 goals. Why wouldn't people drive when they have cheap gas, subsidized parking, toll free roads, and high speed freeways ...

Posted Sat, Jul 4, 12:18 p.m.

Mr. Kammerer, it seems like what you are railing against isn't walkable neighborhoods but the business model which many neighborhood "downtowns" have incorporated, which is the mall model. That is, businesses are supported by lots of people from out of the neighborhood who drive in, use free parking, and wander ...

Posted Tue, May 27, 11:23 a.m.

The Silver Lining: As bad as it sounds there certainly is a silver lining to Bellingham's problems. The citizens now have a personal interest in cutting down on polluting Lake Whatcom because all the pollutants they put into it could possibly end up in their glass. On the other hand, ...

Posted Sun, Apr 27, 1:40 p.m.

Seriously Van Dyk?: Wow, this article is absolutely terrible and makes me question the editing skills of Crosscut. Prop.1, as so many others have already commented, failed because of neglected community issues. Luckily ST did an extensive poll and opinion period and tried to figure out the issues that the ...

Posted Thu, Apr 10, 10:57 p.m.

No other Coffee in Seattle?!: "Now, of course, it's pretty much all Starbucks." Have you walked around Seattle lately? What about Cafe Vita (Used by Vita and All City), Tony's (used by Cafe Ladro) , Fonte (used by Uptown), Tully's, and my personal favorite Victrola. In fact, of the hundreds ...

Posted Wed, Mar 26, 11:17 a.m.

More than buildings: I am currently in Rome I just wanted to point out that in 2006 the first building was constructed in the city center since 1936. Perservation is much more than just "saving old buildings" as some might say. Its about continuing a hertitage and community thread in ...

Posted Sun, Mar 2, 2:30 a.m.

Fun: You want fun? Just chill at the International Fountain for an hour and watch toddlers go toppling head first down the angled, wet walls of the little pit. Oh man, watching a little kid waddle himself into a full blown tumble can really turn any frown upside down (unless ...

Posted Sun, Mar 2, 2:23 a.m.

RE: Unfortunately Outdated: Im also going to agree that the Pacific Science Center is pretty much the same as the Zeum. If you think the focus is wrong it might just be better to reorient the Science Center then, you know, build an entirely new museum. Also, MOHAI is almost ...

Posted Sun, Mar 2, 2:14 a.m.

Unfortunately Outdated: The simple fact is that technology has progressed. Spinning around on 1950's technology machines just isn't that exciting for a child anymore. While their might be something to be said for keeping some of the rides in the name of history and heritage, the truth is there is ...

Posted Fri, Feb 29, 6:11 p.m.

I like the Idea: Unlike most whiney people around here I think this is a fantastic idea. I am very excited to see what they do with it. I also think it will give public rallies a much better place for meeting and well, rallying. These days most of our ...

Posted Sat, Feb 23, 2:07 p.m.

A crucial moment for perservation awareness: I wish this stuff had been there for the Black Mansion or the old observatory tower on Queen Anne. I don't exactly understand how these buildings can be listed as on the HIstorical Landmark website of the city but yet...they don't exist! Anyway, I ...