Government & Communities

We help federal, state, and local governments work with their communities to identify priorities, make tough decisions, foster a culture of engagement, and amplify voices toward enduring institutional change.

Government & Communities

Port of Seattle

Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART) and South Seattle Roundtable

Since 2020, BDS Planning has been facilitating and supporting the Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART), which includes the Port of Seattle, the cities of SeaTac, Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park,Tukwila and Federal Way as well as Alaska Airlines, Delta Airlines, and the Federal Aviation Administration.

Government & Communities

City of Burien

Community Connectors Program

The City of Burien retained Uncommon Bridges, formerly BDS Planning & Urban Design, to develop a comprehensive strategy to engage the residents of Burien in City planning projects and ensure that future City decisions represent Burien residents’ values and needs.

Government & Communities

Washington State Office of Equity

Community Compensation Guidelines & Update

Uncommon Bridges, formerly BDS Planning & Urban Design, supported the Office of Equity in the development of a guiding framework for state and local government bodies that provides guidance on compensating community members who share their time and expertise with the government.

Government & Communities

King County Executive's Office

Public Safety Advisory Committee

When King County voters elected to return the sheriff to an appointed position, the County Executive and Council established a Public Safety Advisory Committee to provide guidance on the qualities the county should seek in candidates for the new sheriff and for ways the county should improve law enforcement services to preserve and enhance public safety.

Government & Communities

Ballard Alliance, SODO BIA, Alliance for Pioneer Square

Racial Equity in Place Management

As our communities become increasingly diverse, place management organizations such as BIDs, BIAs, SBDs, EIDs, etc., are seeking to better understand the role that they can play in creating neighborhoods that are welcoming, affirming and safe for BIPOC communities. BDS Planning and long-time partner Jackie St. Louis, offer an intensive training and group process facilitation to support organizations such as the Ballard Alliance, SODO BIA, and the Alliance for Pioneer Square align their activities with principles of anti-racism and develop an equity lens to guide their future work.

Government & Communities

Port of Seattle

Port of Seattle Biometrics Facilitation

In December 2019, the Port of Seattle Commission adopted seven guiding principles for public-facing biometric technology at the Port’s facilities. In 2020, BDS Planning facilitated an External Advisory Group to review and refine the policy recommendations for public-facing biometric technology at the Port’s facilities.