"That’s Not What I Said:"O’Brien Reframes Bargain on Facebook

I usually don’t post on Fridays since traffic tends to fall off as people get ready for the weekend. But an interesting exchange took place on Facebook last night. When asked a direct question about proposed rezones in the Grand Bargain–an exchange of upzones for mandatory inclusion of rent restricted housing in new buildings–Councilmember O’Brien […]

Design Review Goof: Important Meeting for Builders on Wednesday, December 9

I’ve decided that my tombstone will have the following latin phrase carved into it: DIXI VOBIS. That roughly (and I was terrible at Latin so I welcome edits) translates to, “I told you so!” Dealing with members of the City Council, City Staff, “urbanists,” and press has taught me to keep careful track of what […]

Seattle Times Right and Wrong on Grand Bargain

The Seattle Times weighed in yesterday on the passage earlier in the week of key legislation that starts the City down the road of mandatory inclusionary zoning through the much hyped Grand Bargain. We’ve pointed out that, so far, the math isn’t working: the mandatory upzones proposed for neighborhood builders will cost more than the rent revenue […]