PSRC’s Summer Planning Academy has successfully concluded its third year. Twenty-three high school students gathered at the office for two weeks to learn the basics of planning and how it can apply to their communities. Future planners explored the topics of transportation, housing, the environment, and equity and concluded their experience with a capstone project presentation.
On the first day, students learned about Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and Blocks and Lot. After lunch, students split into five groups to explore different Seattle neighborhoods for a community assessment. Each group began their capstone envisioning themselves as planners and observing how they can improve their neighborhood.
Students took a Kitsap Transit Fast Ferry to Bremerton for day two of SPA. The cohort learned about different transportation modes and took a tour around Bremerton’s ferry transit center with John Clauson, the Executive Director of Kitsap Transit. Students took the ferry back to Seattle and wrapped up their day touring Seattle’s new Colman Dock with Brian Vail and Bryant Bullamore from Washington State Ferries.
Housing and transit-oriented development were the focus for the third day. Rebecca Brunn, Sound Transit’s TOD project manager, led students on a tour around Cedar Crossing, an affordable housing complex with over 250 units and minutes away from Roosevelt Link Station. Students also heard from a panel featuring staff from Cedar Crossing, Mercy Housing, and Bellwether Housing, who described the process of creating affordable housing, the amenities and programs provided to residents, and future developments.
The students wrapped up SPA learning about environmental equity and displacement in the region. The cohort traveled to the University of Washington, hiked the Union Bay Natural Area, and heard from Richard Conlin, a former member of the Seattle City Council, Seattle Planning Commissioner Jamie Stroble, and Tribal Liaison to the Burke Museum, Polly Olsen, who discussed creating built environments and the impact they can have on surrounding communities. Upon returning, students heard from EAC co-chairs, Julia Jannon Shields and Shannon Turner, and were awarded a certificate of completion.
Throughout SPA, students gathered what they learned from each topic and applied it to their community assessment. At SPA’s open house, students presented their capstone project explaining data on demographics, transit, housing and the environment of their studied neighborhood. They also offered solutions to the shortfalls they saw in their assigned communities.
Thank you to PSRC staff and interns for their contributions to SPA running smoothly, and a big thanks to the guest speakers who took the time out of their busy schedule to teach and inspire future planners. Congratulations to cohort ‘25 for a successful and engaging Summer Planning Academy!
