Author Archives: Scott Bonjukian

Denny Substation Bringing Light to Growing Neighborhoods

Posted on October 28, 2013 by Scott Bonjukian

With growing demand for power in the neighborhoods around South Lake Union, utility department Seattle City Light (SCL) is preparing to build a new electrical substation nearby. It won’t be like the city’s other 11 facilities with cold chain-link fences, … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy, Government, Land Use, Landscape, Parks, Public Art, Public Space, Sustainability, Uncategorized, Walking | Tagged architects, architecture, Capitol Hill, Denny Substation Project, Denny Way, electrical substation, electricity, infrastructure, NBBJ, pedestrian, power, public, public art, Seattle City Light, Seattle Design Commission, South Lake Union, urban design, utilities | 4 Comments

Emerald City Impressions: Explorations

Posted on October 24, 2013 by Scott Bonjukian

Despite being here for only about seven weeks I’ve gotten the chance to see a fair amount of Seattle, and it’s quite amazing how many different neighborhoods there are and how quickly the urban landscape can change from one block … Continue reading →

Posted in Editorial, Land Use, Megaprojects, Transportation | Tagged Ballard, bus, Capital Hill, experiences, Industrial District, Museum of Flight, neighborhoods, Pioneer Square, Seattle, urban exploring | 1 Comment

Hearing on Metro Cuts Highlights State’s Transportation Issues

Posted on October 14, 2013 by Scott Bonjukian

The Washington State Senate Transportation Committee hosted a “listening forum” in Seattle on Monday to hear out citizens on transportation issues, and the main topic was the impending funding cut to the King County Metro bus system. With several hundred … Continue reading →

Posted in Biking, Buses, Ferries, Government, Policy, Roads, Transportation, Walking | Tagged budget, buses, car tab, congestion, cuts, disability, fees, funding, King County, King County Metro, low income, metro, public transportation, Senate Transportation Committee, taxes, Washington | 4 Comments

Thinking Outside the (Big) Box

Posted on October 7, 2013 by Scott Bonjukian

The U.S. is seeing a slow reversal of a half-century of migration to the suburbs, with people more interested in walkable communities closer to the core cities of metropolitan regions. With the Millennial generation also less interested in driving and … Continue reading →

Posted in Editorial, Housing, Land Use, Landscape, Mixed Use, Parks, Public Space, Sustainability | Tagged green spaces, mall conversion, parking, solar panels, suburban redevelopment, thinking outside the big box | 6 Comments

Planning Conference Extravaganza

Posted on October 4, 2013 by Scott Bonjukian

With classes underway, a conveniently timed conference in nearby Bellevue gave me the opportunity to skip school the last two days and mingle with over 400 planning professionals. The Washington State chapter of the American Planning Association hosted its annual conference … Continue reading →

Posted in Editorial | Tagged 2013, American Planning Association, APA, Bellevue, bicycling, climate change, conference, sea level rise, smart streets, summary, urban agriculture, wicked problems smart solutions | 3 Comments

(re)Building Resilient Communities

Posted on September 26, 2013 by Scott Bonjukian

As the impacts of climate change become more noticeable around the world, planners and politicians are taking steps to reinforce their cities against natural disasters. Though climate scientists stress that no single weather event can be attributed to climate change, … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate, Government, Housing, Land Use, Landscape, Megaprojects, Policy, Residential, Resources, Sustainability | Tagged 3C competition, barriers, beach, billions, buyout, climate change, coastal, defense, dunes, FEMA, flood zone, flooding, fortification, global warming, Hurricane Sandy, hurricanes, infrastructure, New York, ORLI, refugees, resilency, Sandy, sea level rise, seawalls, superstorm, winds | 6 Comments

Emerald City Impressions: Start of School

Posted on September 25, 2013 by Scott Bonjukian

It’s been two-and-a-half weeks since I moved to Seattle, and I must admit I’m still getting used to it. Today I had my first classes in the graduate urban planning program at the University of Washington, and I forsee my … Continue reading →

Posted in Editorial | 2 Comments

Regional Light Rail Undergoing Expansion

Posted on September 23, 2013 by Scott Bonjukian

With increasing ridership and voter support, regional transportation agency Sound Transit is expanding its services throughout the Puget Sound area. Formed in 1996 with the approval of King, Pierce, and Snohomish county voters amidst increasing traffic congestion, ST operates now … Continue reading →

Posted in Megaprojects, Rail, Transportation | Tagged Bellevue, Central Link, East, extensions, King County, light rail, Link, Lynnwood, metro, multi-modal, Northgate, public transit, Redmond, Seattle, sound transit, South Lake Union, stations, streetcar, Tacoma Link, University | 9 Comments

Emerald City Impressions: Moving Day

Posted on September 11, 2013 by Scott Bonjukian

I’m here! With the help of my folks I finally made the big move to Seattle on Monday. My apartment is located in a pretty accessible location north of the UW campus, but I don’t think I’ll ever drive in … Continue reading →

Posted in Editorial | Tagged Ravenna Park, Seattle, university district, university of washington, uw | Leave a comment

Seattle Planners Release Marijuana Map

Posted on September 5, 2013 by Scott Bonjukian

City planners today at the Seattle Department of Planning and Development released a preliminary map of areas where marijuana farms, processors, and stores may be located within city limits. According to the Seattle Times, the areas have not yet not … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Government, Industrial, Land Use, Parks, Policy, Schools | Tagged department of justice, department of planning and development, distribution, farming, federal, growing, I-502, Initiative 502, land use, laws, map, marijuana, minors, parks, pot, pot shops, production, rules, sales, schools, Seattle, Washington, zoning | 3 Comments