Why Seattle Is Poised To Be A Leader in ‘Smart City’ Technology and Regulations

GeekWire | Taylor Soper | August 24

https://www.geekwire.com/2017/seattle-poised-leader-establishing-smart-city-regulations-technology/

“New technology is helping local government create “smarter” cities in a variety of ways, from adaptive traffic lights to open data platforms to advanced utility meters. But with innovation comes complication…This was the subject of a roundtable discussion hosted by U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA) at the University of Washington on Wednesday in Seattle. The hour-long meeting brought together key regional leaders from a variety of sectors: City of Seattle CTO Michael Mattmiller; Seattle Public Utilities CEO Mami Hara; Socrata CEO Kevin Merritt; Microsoft Government Solutions Manager Mike Geertsen and others — to talk about the role of government in establishing policies and processes that enable the modernization of cities.”

King County Metro Plans Single Bus Fare Systemwide

Seattle Times | Mike Lindblom | August 24

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/king-county-metro-plans-single-rate-bus-fares-systemwide/

“King County Metro Transit plans to change to a single all-day, all-zone $2.75 basic fare in July 2018, to replace the multiple prices that have appeared on bus fareboxes for decades. When the agency announced its simplification options this spring, four of five people responding to surveys preferred the single fare. Metro says 65 percent of riders, including thousands who now pay discounted fares, will see no change or a 50-cent savings. Midday and late-night riders would pay 25 cents more.”

How Amazon’s Nonstop Growth Is Creating A Brand-New Seattle

Fast Company | Glenn Fleishman | August 24

https://www.fastcompany.com/40451502/how-amazons-nonstop-growth-is-creating-a-brand-new-seattle

“In a tight market that it’s made tighter, Amazon isn’t the only company vying for space. Seattle went through a lull in development between the last dotcom boom and the 2007 housing recession, leaving some deep holes in places around the city, including downtown…Thanks in part to Seattle’s voracious need for new office space, in July, a firm that tracks construction cranes worldwide, Rider Levett Bucknall, said that the city led the U.S. with 58 cranes at work around town. Number two was Los Angeles, which has six times Seattle’s area, with just 36 cranes. Seattle has held its lead—often by far—for some time.”

Seattle Bucks National Trend in Declining Exports

Seattle Times | Jon Talton | August 22

http://www.seattletimes.com/business/economy/seattle-bucks-national-trend-in-declining-exports/

“Metro Seattle saw exports increase 2.4 percent in 2016, among the strongest performances in the nation. This according to a new report from Joseph Parilla and Nick Marchio at the Brookings Institution. As measured by Brookings, King, Pierce and Snohomish counties being metro Seattle ranked sixth among 381 metro areas in the inflation-adjusted value of exports last year. It ranked fourth in exports’ share of GDP. These compare with eighth and ninth in 2003.”

GeekWire: Redfin Predicts This Seattle Neighborhood Will Be The Hottest in the Nation to Close 2017

KING 5 | Nat Levy | August 18

http://www.king5.com/money/markets/real-estate/geekwire-redfin-predicts-this-seattle-neighborhood-will-be-the-hottest-in-the-nation-to-close-2017/465480960

“Seattle’s housing market is hot as ever, and tech-powered real estate brokerage Redfin predicts it will stay that way, particularly in the First Hill neighborhood just east of downtown. First Hill sits atop a new list predicting the 10 hottest neighborhoods for home sales for the rest of 2017. Redfin makes its predictions by examining recent growth in listing page views and favorites on its site. The neighborhood’s proximity to Amazon’s new campus and downtown, as well as the quieter vibe compared to the bustling Capitol Hill area next door helped put First Hill ahead of popular neighborhoods in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Portland, San Diego, Chicago, Washington D.C. and Boston.”