Urban Affairs

The ongoing tiff over TIF

Tax-increment financing, which is permitted in 48 other states, would be a powerful tool for encouraging more projects and amenities around light rail stations. Here's the case for its many benefits, and a look at progress and debate to date.

READ MORE | 13 COMMENTS

Clicker »

The latest from news outlets and blogs around the Northwest and beyond, chosen by Crosscut editors.

Arena backer Chris Hansen loves basketball, not money

The Stranger writes, "a somewhat guarded Hansen couldn't have cut a more striking contrast to the familiar cast of multimillionaire owners out to make a quick buck off of taxpayers."

THE STRANGER

McGinn a shill for developers?

Critics of the mayor say he is being less than transparent and is being guided by developer interests. Others, however, say there's no developer conspiracy at all.

SEATTLE TIMES

Urban entertainment districts: Careful what you wish for

Cities across the country are remaking parts of their core into districts aiming for a lively nightlife, but they often end with something that has all the charm of a mall meeting Disney's Epcot Center. A few cities have had success, though, with non-prescriptive, less-regulated approaches.

SALON

Is Los Angeles a better city than Seattle?

The Seattlepi.com's Amy Rolph decides which city is better.  

SEATTLEPI.COM

In King County, a spike in real-estate prices

The Seattle Times reports, "More homebuyers chased slim pickings in King County last month, sending house prices to their highest level since December 2010."  

SEATTLE TIMES

Why not a stadium in the Rainier Valley?

Publicola reports, "McIver (and his co-columnist, Rainier Valley Community Development Fund director David Essig) argues, the city should consider building an 'elevated civic center' connecting the Mount Baker light rail station with the Mount Baker Transit Center, which serves Rainier Ave. buses, across the street."  

PUBLICOLA

May Day demonstrators menace downtown Seattle

King5.com reports, "May Day demonstrators who marched through Seattle turned violent Tuesday, as several black-clad protesters used sticks to smash downtown store windows and ran through the streets disrupting traffic." 

KING5.COM

City council needs $300 million for sea wall

The Seattlepi.com reports, "With time running out to replace the aging Elliott Bay Seawall, the Seattle City Council showed Monday it likely will ask voters to pass a 30-year property tax bond measure to pay for the project."  

SEATTLEPI.COM

Origins of the parking meter
There are reasons for the meters other than to just hit you up for cash when the time runs out.

ATLANTIC CITIES
MORE CLICKER | SUGGEST A STORY


Join Crosscut now!
Subscribe to our Newsletter

Follow Us »