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Recent Runstad Center Research

The Runstad Center released the Washington State Condominium Report this past July,  which examines the current Seattle market and six other western cities, focusing on construction of new condominiums. Read more about this study from the author David Leon, MSRE Candidate 2017, as well as a link to the full report here

In August, Peter Orser wrote a forward for a recent feasibility study conducted by Collision RTKL focused on mass timber construction, a relatively new technology that could deliver a sustainable solution to urban growth challenges. The full study can be found here

The 2nd Quarter Washington State Housing Market Report showed increases in sales and growth, although the number of new building permits is down compared to last year. Read the full market summary here

What if?

What if we stopped griping about the Seattle process, empowered our leaders, moved forward with a powerful vision focused on the community of the future, implementation, education for a shared language, evaluation and feedback loops and course adjustments – we grabbed our future and advance together?

A CITY TO LOVE
VISIONS OF A PUBLIC REALM

Tuesday, September 27, 2016
6:00-8:00 pm

Impact HUB
220 2nd Ave South
Seattle, WA 98104

Refreshments will be served, program to begin at 6:30 p.m.

RSVP NOW

Housing affordability crisis demands a solution

Last week, the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties hosted their annual Housing Summit and our own Peter Orser was there to discuss how our recent condominium report can help provide answers.  Read a summary of the event on Seattle King County Realtors blog

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Peter Orser addresses the crowd at the 2016 MBA Housing Summit

A thought about tax increment financing…

What if we aggressively used the financing tools we have to do what is needed and stopped whining about tax increment financing and moved forward?

Find out more lessons learned from Auckland at their presentation on September 27th.

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A CITY TO LOVE
VISIONS OF A PUBLIC REALM

Tuesday, September 27, 2016
6:00-8:00 pm

Impact HUB
220 2nd Ave South
Seattle, WA 98104

Refreshments will be served, program to begin at 6:30 p.m.

RSVP NOW

Auckland addresses transportation differently

What if the provision of transportation services was provided as a system, not divided into multiple agencies by mode – what if it was considered as a system where connections are critical?  Check out Auckland Transport!

A CITY TO LOVE
VISIONS OF A PUBLIC REALM

Tuesday, September 27, 2016
6:00-8:00 pm

Impact HUB
220 2nd Ave South
Seattle, WA 98104

Refreshments will be served, program to begin at 6:30 p.m.

RSVP NOW

Imagine a city that empowers its leaders…

On September 27th the Fellows will be presenting their research from their trip to Auckland, New Zealand last spring, and what they discovered about how this innovative city manages public right of way. 

Imagine a city that empowers its leaders, elected or not, to plan, lead and implement… where plans are envisioned, funded, tested, evaluated, tweaked but ADVANCE is the unapologetic ethic.   Check out Auckland!

A CITY TO LOVE
VISIONS OF A PUBLIC REALM

Tuesday, September 27, 2016
6:00-8:00 pm

Impact HUB
220 2nd Ave South
Seattle, WA 98104

Refreshments will be served, program to begin at 6:30 p.m.

 RSVP NOW

A City to Love

Today we continue our series of posts from the 2015-16 Runstad Center Affiliate Fellows.
On September 27th the Fellows will be presenting their research from their trip to Auckland, New Zealand last spring, and what they discovered about how this innovative city manages public right of way. 

Imagine a city where industry, economics and the private sector are not demonized. Where the public sector, regulations and plans are not demonized. What about a situation where the two are partners with critical capabilities, where economics and quality of life are partners in creating a livable resilient place – where each is valued and used in support of the larger whole. Talk about a powerhouse!

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A CITY TO LOVE
VISIONS OF A PUBLIC REALM

Tuesday, September 27, 2016
6:00-8:00 pm

Impact HUB
220 2nd Ave South
Seattle, WA 98104

Refreshments will be served, program to begin at 6:30 p.m.

RSVP Now

Seattle Mass Timber Tower, a new study by Callison RTKL

Peter Orser was asked to write a forward for a recent feasibility study conducted by Callison RTKL. This study, Seattle Mass Timber Tower, focuses on mass timber construction (MTC) and the possibility of using MTC for a high rise. Mass timber is a cost effective, energy efficient, renewable material of excellent structural strength that demonstrates high fire resistance. MTC has been used successfully in Europe and British Columbia, but it is a relative newcomer to US building practices. Additionally, MTC structures in the US to date have been limited to 6-10 story buildings. Whether or not MTC can be used for buildings in the 30-40 story range has yet to be fully vetted. As the former CEO of Weyerhaeuser Real Estate Company and as the Director of the Runstad Center, Peter recognizes the importance of investing in, researching and discussing technologies that have the potential of delivering sustainable solutions to the urban growth challenges we face. Callison RTKL’s analysis, now publicly available, examines the possibility of utilizing MTC for high rise construction from design, sustainability, affordability, safety and construction perspectives. The full study can be found here.