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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Environment
New airport would put Washington's climate goals out of reach, critics argue
The Puget Sound region is growing, and air travel is growing with it. By the year 2050, the number of flights here could more than double. But critics of that outlook say we should be curbing greenhouse gas emissions – not raising them.
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No place for workers to live? Whidbey Island town aims to fix that
In recent years, the small Whidbey Island town of Langley has rolled out a slew of zoning reforms, meant to encourage the production of new homes. It offers a model for the rest of Washington State. But it's also brought up big questions for residents about what they want their community to be.
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What to do about low Black homeownership in Washington state
One local leader has been thinking a lot about a report that came out last week, which revealed low homeownership among Washington’s Black families, as compared to white families. Michael Brown, leader of the Seattle Foundation's Black Home Initiative, said the report is evidence that the region's wealth is not being shared.
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Business
What effect is 'remote work' having on the local video game industry?
KUOW's Joshua McNichols joins Soundside to talk about the effect remote work is having on the Pacific Northwest video game industry.
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Government
Pierce, Thurston counties in running for new NW airport
A state commission Friday narrowed its list of sites for a new two-runway airport to three locations in rural Thurston and Pierce cou
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Remembering Jean Darsie, who saw dignity of people who live on the streets
A prominent Seattle activist has died, following a long battle with cancer. Jean Darsie advocated for world peace and sustainability. But she’s best known as an advocate for people facing homelessness.
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Displacement is a big problem in Seattle. Subsidized apartments help, but only somewhat
Some people are trying to help ease displacement in Seattle by organizing communities and chasing grants, in order to build subsidized affordable apartments. But critics warn that we need to increase homeownership opportunities, too.
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Take two for Seattle's social housing initiative
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Spokane's embrace of missing middle housing sets up competition with Seattle
The city of Spokane has a housing shortage. That’s why this summer, the city council there unanimously passed a temporary ordinance allowing missing middle housing across the city. That means duplexes, triplexes, and quads are legal wherever you can build a single family home.
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What can Seattle learn from Spokane's "Missing Middle Housing" solution?
The City of Spokane voted to allow “missing middle housing” across the city earlier this month. That means it’s now legal to build duplexes, triplexes, quads and townhomes in all residential areas. KUOW’s Joshua McNichols looked into how that happened, and what kind of competition that sets up for Seattle, which also has a housing shortage.