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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Why it's hard to change single family zones in Washington State
It's politically risky for cities. So lawmakers in Olympia want to go over the heads of local elected leaders.
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What can be done about the "missing middle" of housing in Washington?
Legislators are in the middle of tackling a massive hot-button issue: housing density.
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This realtor wants to find you a house in Washington. The odds are stacked against her.
The housing market is tight across Washington state. There’s very little out there for people to buy, and that’s driving home prices out of reach for many of the people who live in the region. The problem has hit Black, Indigenous and families of color hardest, and contributed to the segregation of neighborhoods. Now, lawmakers in Olympia are trying to relax zoning rules so affordable housing is more accessible.
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'Forbidden houses of Bothell' show how multifamily housing fits into single-family zones
Advocates for "missing middle" housing put together walking tour called "The Forbidden Houses of Bothell" to show how duplexes, triplexes and small apartment buildings can fit into single family neighborhoods.
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Arts & Life
New audiences, less money. How local arts organizations are doing now
Federal programs that supported the arts during the pandemic have dwindled. The 2020 surge of financial support for Black, Indigenous and People of Color-led organizations amid racial justice protests has faded. Still, some groups say they've learned lessons about how to connect with new audiences that will continue to pay off after Covid.
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Washington state could require cities to allow more multi-family housing options
Should cities in Washington be forced to allow "missing middle" types of housing — duplexes, triplexes and sometimes small apartment buildings — on land currently reserved for single family homes? That’s a question currently before the state Legislature.
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Environment
The inescapable power of water on a landslide-prone street in Seattle
A little over a week ago, a landslide in Seattle’s Magnolia neighborhood pushed a home off its foundations. The reason for the landslide – was water, which saturated the soil and made it slippery. And lately, with all the rain, there’s been a lot of water. We went to see how neighbors near the slide are trying to keep their land dry.
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Government
How the Port of Seattle is whittling away at supply chain backlogs
The Port of Seattle started unloading cargo ships at a brand new terminal this week. That’ll help with some of the supply chain issues. But it won’t solve the whole problem.
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Environment
Each flood takes a bite out of Seattle-area candy maker
This winter, we’ve heard a lot about flooding in small towns, and the damage those communities have had to deal with. But flooding this year is hitting urban communities too. And in urban areas, even a small flood can cause serious economic damage. Boehm's Candies in Issaquah offers a glimpse at the burden that flooding puts on some urban businesses.
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Environment
Can salmon eggs survive Washington's heavy floods?
When flooding hits rivers with salmon in them, it can damage the eggs and set back those populations. It’s true on big rivers like the Nooksack and the Skagit, and it’s also true on the small creeks that run through urban areas, some of which support healthy salmon populations.