Image: The Urbanist

Advocacy Update – August 2026

This Month in Advocacy: Overhaul of Historic Preservation Regulations, How to Support Communities Impacted by Wildfires, Housing Progress in Issaquah, Seattle Revisits Fort Lawton Redevelopment Proposal

National

Trump administration weakens protections for historic sites

Members of an advisory council voted last month to make changes to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, weakening federal oversight of construction projects affecting historic sites and diminishing the voice and agency of architects in this process. The proposal would redefine what kinds of properties can be considered historic, narrow the definition of “adverse effect” to a historic property, curtail public input, allow agencies to make unilateral determinations through internal reports, and remove the requirement to consult with tribes and local governments. The proposed changes are expected to pass after a 30-day public comment period but will likely face legal challenges later on.

Washington State

Supporting Washington communities impacted by wildfires

AIA Seattle stands with our community in Spokane and throughout the state who are dealing with devastating wildfires this summer. AIA Spokane has shared resources to support the local community, and you can also get involved by becoming certified as a building evaluator through the Safety Assessment Program (SAP) offered by AIAU.

AIA Seattle Ten-County Area

Issaquah advances efforts to speed up housing development

Issaquah is pursuing a slate of reforms to accelerate housing development, starting with scaled back requirements for outdoor amenity space and building step backs, which passed City Council in June. The city will also become the first in the state to create a self-certification program for architects building backyard cottages, taking advantage of HB 1353, which passed in 2025. The bill allows licensed architects to advance ADU/DADU plans without city review, provided they have signed up for self-certification and agree to sign a “hold harmless” agreement. Other cities have implemented this bill by creating pre-approved building plans, but Issaquah’s approach goes a step further.

Earlier this month, the City of Issaquah broke ground on a transit-oriented development project in partnership with the King County Housing Authority that will create 155 affordable homes next to the Issaquah Transit Center, market-rate housing, and a future human services center. Light rail connection to Issaquah is projected to be completed by 2044.

Seattle Releases New Study to Develop Housing in Magnolia’s Fort Lawton

Seattle’s Office of Housing (OH) has released a second Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Study (DSEIS) for a proposal to develop affordable housing units at Fort Lawton, near Discovery Park. The redevelopment project, which has taken different forms for at least two decades, would create nearly 500 new homes on a 34-acre site owned by the U.S. Army. After public comment last year, the City drafted a new DSEIS that includes study of an alternative proposal to build the units on Aurora Avenue instead. OH will hold a virtual and in-person public comment session on August 27, and written comment can be submitted until September 8. More information about the DSEIS and opportunities for public comment here.