Joshua McNichols
Growth and Development Reporter
About
As KUOW's Growth and Development reporter and co-host of KUOW's Booming podcast, Joshua's "growing pains" beat sits at the nexus of housing, transportation, urban planning, government and the economy. His favorite stories also include themes of history, technology, and climate change.
Joshua holds a B.A. in Architecture from the University of Washington. Public Radio is his second career; architecture was his first. He is proud of the many odd jobs he's held in his life, such as salmon fisher, author, bike courier, and bed-and-breakfast cook.
Location: Seattle
Languages Spoken: English
Pronouns: he/him
Professional Affiliations: The Society of Professional Journalists, Western Washington Chapter
Stories
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Cities in Washington can no longer make vague promises to build enough 'affordable housing'
Cities in Washington can no longer make vague promises to build enough affordable housing for the people moving into this region. That’s the aim of a new state law giving cities specific goals around how many homes they'll accommodate, and who should be able to afford them.
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Arts & Life
Seattle's Grand Illusion Cinema, indie film buff favorite, faces uncertain future following $2.3 million sale
The tiny Grand Illusion Cinema — or at least, the building it occupies in the University District — has sold to a developer for just over $2 million dollars. The theater’s manager said it will probably be torn down in a few years. We went to a recent screening to see why the place has become so important to film fans and filmmakers.
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Business
Ginormous South Tacoma warehouse project gets green light despite social justice, environmental concerns
A major warehouse project big enough to cover 43 football fields can go forward in South Tacoma, following a decision by Tacoma's hearing examiner. That’s despite concerns by environmentalists and social justice advocates.
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Government
Can AI reduce traffic deaths? These Seattle engineers are putting it to the test
Generally, traffic engineers know what will make intersections more safe. For example, letting pedestrians enter the crosswalk before cars get the green light. But given limited funds, how do traffic engineers decide which projects are most pressing? New AI tools could help.
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Law & Courts
Newly signed drug law gets mixed reviews among Seattleites
By Oct. 20, it will be illegal in Seattle for people to use drugs like heroin and meth in public. The new ordinance comes at a time of hot public debate over the criminalization of drug use, and is drawing mixed reactions among Seattleites.
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Arts & Life
'Acknowledgement that this is their home': Seattle's Alaskan Way gets honorary Lushootseed name
Seattle’s waterfront is undergoing a massive transformation following the rerouting of interstate 99 from a now-demolished viaduct into a waterfront tunnel. That’s opened up space for a smaller surface road and a long and skinny 20 acre waterfront park.
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Government
No, pickleball is not displacing unhoused people: Seattle RV lot provider
A 20 court pickleball facility is not pushing out a planned RV safe lot for unhoused people. In fact, getting displaced is the provider’s business model.
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Government
For Seattle waterfront's future, look to Brooklyn, New York City
Can Seattle’s redesigned waterfront help revive its downtown? For an answer, we look to another place that has a lot in common with Seattle: Brooklyn, New York City.
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Business
Trust issues: Amazon could be fractured by impending FTC lawsuit, reports suggest
Amazon could face another major lawsuit from the Federal Trade Commission later this month — this time with the potential to break up parts of the company. That’s according to news reports by Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal this week.
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Government
Housing and parks could be built over I-5. Seattle councilmembers are officially into it
The future of I-5 is up in the air – literally.