Posted Fri, Nov 4, 10:16 a.m.

It's always bemusing to me that people think that there is some institutional reason that makes it hard to defeat incumbents in Seattle. The fact is that 3 of the 9 Councilmembers defeated incumbents -- Leaving aside the Seattle School Board, which is a whole different story, I challenge anyone ...

Posted Tue, Jun 14, 4:42 p.m.

Just a data note. Between 2000 and 2010, the number of single family houses in Seattle INCREASED from 132,908 to 135,420. We are doing an excellent job of increasing the total number of dwelling units (by 38,000 in that decade) by maximizing the density of existing multi-family zoning, and we ...

Posted Thu, May 5, 12:33 p.m.

I'm sorry, Knute, but there are so many errors and misstatements in this piece that it is truly astonishing. Planning on this bridge has been underway for 14 years. There have been many avenues for public involvement throughout that time. We successfully beat back the attempt to widen 520 as ...

Posted Thu, Apr 7, 11:01 a.m.

Thanks for this excellent and thoughtful review. All of us benefit when academics use their expertise to assist government in making innovative public policy. Seattle and King County have taken a number of steps that sound like they are consistent with these ideas, such as implementing natural drainage infrastructure and ...

Posted Mon, Nov 29, 8:58 a.m.

Mark, thank you for this very thoughtful piece. I really like how you challenge the stereotypes and make bold but doable recommendations. I hope that the South Downtown zoning redo will accommodate some of these ideas. Looking forward to working with the wonderful new energy in Pioneer Square to keep ...

Posted Tue, Mar 2, 12:33 p.m.

David, I appreciate your doing this post. Dispassionate review is always a good idea. I am not convinced by your arguments, and find Mark Hinshaw's analysis much more cogent, but reasoned debates should lead to conclusions. What I do object to, however, is your use of the very kind of ...

Posted Mon, Jan 11, 12:51 p.m.

On December 14 the Seattle City Council became the first (I am quite confident) legislative body to legally acknowledge 'Salish Sea'. In our new agreement with the Aquarium Society, I added an amendment that Aquarium exhibits should emphasize education and awareness around the ecosystems of "Puget Sound and the Salish ...

Posted Thu, May 14, 4:24 p.m.

It is unfortunate that Kent misrepresented the actions of the Council, as well as giving misleading information about the state public records act. Council Bill 116496 requires all Departments of the City to implement State Auditor and Attorney General recommendations for managing the public records process by adopting rules for ...