Here’s Where Seattle Mayoral Frontrunners Jenny Durkan And Cary Moon Stand on Key Tech Issues

GeekWire | Monica Nickelsburg | August 2

https://www.geekwire.com/2017/heres-seattle-mayoral-frontrunners-jenny-durkan-cary-moon-stand-key-tech-issues/

“A wide field of 21 candidates is narrowing to two in a mayoral race whose winner will navigate Seattle through its rapid, tech industry-driven transformation.

Former U.S. attorney Jenny Durkan had a wide lead in the Seattle mayoral primary with 32 percent of the vote when another round of results was released at 4 p.m. Wednesday. Urban planner Cary Moon is still in second place with 16 percent followed by lawyer Nikkita Oliver, who has 14 percent. Whoever wins will be the first woman mayor in Seattle since 1926.”

Work Begins on 5-Year, $350 Million Renovation of Colman Dock

Seattle Times | David Gutman | August 1

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/work-begins-on-5-year-350-million-renovation-of-colman-dock/

“Construction began Tuesday on Washington State Ferries’ five-year, $350 million renovation of Colman Dock in Seattle, a project that will reroute traffic and reschedule sailings but will not result in less ferry service during construction. The one change to service will be to the King County Water Taxi, which connects downtown Seattle to West Seattle and Vashon Island. The water taxi will shut down Monday and remain closed for “up to a week,” a spokesman said, until a temporary dock is completed. Work on that dock — which will serve the water taxi and Kitsap Transit’s Fast Ferry, also a passenger-only ferry — began Tuesday.”

Gov. Jay Inslee: Washington State is The Center of The Casual Gaming Universe

GeekWire | Nat Levy | August 1

https://www.geekwire.com/2017/gov-jay-inslee-washington-state-center-casual-gaming-universe/

“Washington Gov. Jay Inslee kicked off the Casual Connect gaming convention Tuesday, pitching the state as the center of casual gaming in North America, if not the world…“We are the place this industry is centered, we are the center of gamer bars and lounges,” Inslee said. “I think you can honestly, say we got game.” Washington has become a hub for virtual and augmented reality as well, with more than 40 studios throughout the state, Inslee said. Virtual reality, combined with artificial intelligence, Inslee said, will make up the next frontier in gaming.”

Seattle City Council OKs Upzone of Chinatown International District – But Not All of It

Seattle Times | Daniel Beekman | July 31

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattle-city-council-approves-upzone-of-chinatown-international-district/

“The Seattle City Council voted unanimously Monday to approve an upzone of the Chinatown International District. The legislation will allow developers to build one to three stories higher while triggering a new program that requires developers to help create affordable housing. The upzone that includes parts of Chinatown, Japantown and Little Saigon will increase maximum heights from 240 to 270 feet on some bocks, 150 to 170 feet on other blocks and 85 to 95 feet on still others. The historic heart of Chinatown, situated west of Interstate 5 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, will be excluded from the changes.”