What lessons can we glean from a century-old solution to housing crises?

Podcast, Upzoned, Incremental Housing, Top StoryStrong TownsApril 5, 2023Podcast, podcast, Upzoned, housing, housing crisis, Housing Crisis, Incremental Housing, Washington, history, History

Washington State Bill Would Allow Greater Parking Flexibility

A new bill, currently in committee in Washington’s House and Senate, is intended to spark development in places where parking minimums have hindered housing starts.

Housing, End Parking Mandates, News, Top StoryBen AbramsonMarch 2, 2023Parking, parking minimums, parking, End Parking Mandates and Subsidies, Washington, housing, housing crisis

Seattle Has 800,000 Problems

The Seattle area is growing fast, and the suburbs are not going to be exempt from change. Data on the true costs of development is helping local advocates develop a vision for a more prosperous—and, yes, populous—future.

Housing, Urban3, Top StoryKerry HayesDecember 8, 2022Incremental Housing, housing, housing affordability, housing crisis, housing cost, Housing Crisis, Housing, housing policy, Seattle, Washington, Urban3

This Seattle Highway Is Facing a $29 Million Financial Crisis

State Route 99 was a long-anticipated project in Seattle, WA, but this multimillion-dollar highway expansion hasn’t recouped nearly enough money to make up for its costs.

Whose Child Will Be Killed on a Stroad?

A hundred people gathered in Tacoma, WA, to mourn the death of 13-year-old Michael Weilert, who was recently killed while bicycling in his neighborhood. If we want to prevent more tragedies like this, then we must redesign our streets.

Remove Highway 99: A Crazy Idea in “Deep” South Park

What was once a fringe idea to convince the state of Washington to turn a section of Highway 99 over to local control has grown into a publicly funded action.

#NoNewRoads, Stange, Top StoryJay StangeAugust 31, 2022End Highway Expansion, highways, freeway removal, freeways, urban freeways, Washington, suburban experiment, #NoNewRoads

Spokane Opens the Door for Middle Housing Expansion

Last week, the city council of Spokane, WA, voted on a truly “bold, transformational package” that will allow for more forms of missing-middle housing and infill development in the city.

Flying Blind: Why Public Leaders Need an Investment Grade Analysis

Portland and Oregon leaders shouldn’t commit to a $5-billion project without an investment grade analysis (IGA) of toll revenues.

#DotheMath, #InfrastructureCrisis, Infrastructure, City Observatory, Top StoryJoe CortrightJune 17, 2022Infrastructure, infrastructure, infrastructure cost, infrastructure spending, Oregon, Washington, DOT, #DoTheMath, City Observatory

Stanwood Mulls Strong Towns-Style Main Street Makeover

This small town is considering overhauling its main street to embrace walkability and good old-fashioned main street urbanism.

Success Story, Urban Design, Top StoryDoug TrummJune 13, 2022Washington, Small Towns, downtown, main street, Traditional Main Street, revitalization, walkability, urbanism, success, success stories, rural

How to Calm a Street, Starting with Your Own Anger

Frustrated by cars speeding down your neighborhood street at 40 mph? Don’t blame the people driving the cars.

You Need to Know About Walla Walla, Washington

This small city in Washington has been quietly making some very big zoning changes…

Upzoned, Podcast, Success Story, Zoning, Top StoryStrong TownsAugust 18, 2021Podcast, Upzoned, zoning, single-family, Washington

Strong Towns and the "15-Minute City"

There’s a lot of conversation about how cities can become “15-minute cities.” What role does the Strong Towns approach play?

Success Story, Video, Top StoryJohn PattisonJune 25, 2021Washington, 15-Minute Cities, member story, success stories

Round 2: Bentonville, AR vs. Kenmore, WA

Vote now in Round 2 of the Strongest Town Contest! Which city should advance to the semifinals?

Strongest Town Contest, Top StoryStrong TownsMarch 22, 2021Strongest Town 2021, Strongest Town Competition, Kenmore WA, Washington, Arkansas, Bentonville AR

The Fight For #NoNewRoads Is Alive and Well in Washington State

Veteran advocates for a sane and financially sustainable transportation policy in Washington State see a chance to turn crisis into opportunity. And they're hoping to get state leaders to see it too.

#InfrastructureCrisis, #NoNewRoads, #StrongCitizens, Taking Action, Top StoryStrong TownsFebruary 3, 2020infrastructure spending, #NoNewRoads, Seattle, Washington, Mike McGinn

In Conversation: Strong Towns and Restorative Justice (Part Two)

At the heart of top-down approaches to both criminal justice and city planning is a misconception about true “efficiency.” Restorative justice — like Strong Towns — is the bottom-up alternative, drawing from the wisdom of the past while taking the longview on success.

Pattison, Strong America Tour, Top StoryJohn PattisonOctober 25, 2019Strong America Tour, Strong America Book, Spokane, Washington, Justice, Criminal Justice, Restorative Justice, spooky wisdom, Inga Laurent, Law, infastructure, efficiency

In Conversation: Strong Towns and Restorative Justice (Part One)

In the criminal justice system, as in city planning, the perceived need for “efficiency” is often at odds with the deeper needs of the community. Yet that’s not how our societies evolved to handle conflict. How can we restore some of the wisdom of the past? A fascinating conversation about the intersection of restorative justice and building stronger towns.

Pattison, Strong America Tour, Top StoryJohn PattisonOctober 24, 2019Strong America Tour, Strong America Book, Spokane, Washington, Justice, Criminal Justice, Restorative Justice, spooky wisdom, Inga Laurent, Law

Filling In: Room for Revival in Spokane

How modifications to one city’s development codes are making it possible to add wealth and vibrancy to its struggling neighborhoods… without taking on huge future liabilities.

Strong Towns Book, Small Scale Developers, Gardner, Top StorySpencer GardnerSeptember 10, 2019Spokane, Washington, Infill Development, corner stores, Strong America Tour, Strong America Book

The Ruin and the Mansion

Two very different buildings in Spokane illustrate the unfulfilled promises of the post-war suburban experiment and the potential for new life in even the unlikeliest of neighborhoods.

Gardner, Top StorySpencer GardnerSeptember 9, 2019Development, Spokane, Washington, Strong America Book

Dispatches From Spokane: Introduction

The history of Spokane, Washington is a microcosm of what American cities as a whole have experienced. Spokane has lessons to teach us, including the power of incremental (but rapid) growth.

Gardner, Top StorySpencer GardnerAugust 16, 2018history, incremental growth, traditional development pattern, suburban experiment, Washington, Spokane

Podcast: Michael McGinn

Former Mayor of Seattle, Michael McGinn, discusses the tunneling project currently underway in Seattle, the discussions that led to the decision to proceed with a tunnel and subsequent actions by the governor, legislature and city to deal with the aftermath.

#NoNewRoads, Top Story, PodcastStrong TownsJanuary 28, 2016Mike McGinn, Seattle, Washington

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