News roundup: Viaduct, Sawant & Sanders, open space, housing and zoning

The Viaduct closure and Kshama Sawant’s campaigning for Bernie Sanders top the news this morning.

In case you missed it, last Friday it was announced that the Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed for two weeks starting April 29th. Curbed covers the announcement.

Green Party Watch reports that Council member Kshama Sawant is pushing Bernie Sanders to join the Green Party ticket if he loses the Democratic primary to Hillary Clinton. And World Socialist Web Site has harsh words for Sawant, referring to her and her Socialist Alternative party as “pseudo-left.”

Crosscut reports on Council member Lisa Herbold’s efforts to get the Mayor’s office to listen to community members before selling off a rare piece of open space in West Seattle to a private party for possible development.

Wenatchee World reports on Council member Mike O’Brien’s suggestion to increase the size of the $290 million housing levy.

UW Daily covers Council member Rob Johnson’s recent appearance at an ASUW meeting.  University of Washington campus resides in his District 4.

The Stranger reports that Sound Transit and King County Metro have found a short-term solution to allow low-income residents to obtain discounted transit passes that will work across buses and light rail.

Seattle Times published an op-ed piece co-authored by former Council member Jean Godden warning against developing the U District too quickly.